ID :
91709
Thu, 11/26/2009 - 14:30
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/91709
The shortlink copeid
Int'l meeting stresses Japan's key role in Afghan peace process
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TOKYO, Nov. 25 Kyodo -
Japanese Diet members and participants in an international meeting on the
promotion of peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan proposed Wednesday that
Japan play a key role in supporting peace-building efforts led by the
government of the war-torn country.
The proposal was submitted to Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada following
the three-day meeting under the sponsorship of the World Conference of
Religions for Peace, an international alliance of religious groups, and with
the cooperation of the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
''Since Japan enjoys an excellent reputation with Afghanistan and the immediate
neighbors of Afghanistan, it is highly desirable that Japan play a key role
within the international community in supporting the peace and reintegration
program led by the Afghan government,'' the proposal said.
It also called for increased cooperation among Islamic states to prevent the
spread of radical groups that promote violence, while expecting cooperation
from Saudi Arabian King Abdullah, who is believed to have a certain influence
on the Taliban, over the peace building process in Afghanistan.
They also said in a statement that they welcomed measures for aid effectiveness
that ''ensure transparency ''and ''accountability'' so that Japan, which has
recently decided to extend up to $5 billion to Afghanistan over five years, can
continue to provide support.
Among the participants were Masoom Stanekzai, an adviser to Afghan President
Hamid Karzai and key negotiator on peace talks with the Taliban militants.
Officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Iran also attended.
Other attendees included Tadashi Inuzuka, a member of the ruling Democratic
Party of Japan, and Kenji Isezaki, former special Japanese government
representative for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former
combatants in Afghanistan.
A detailed list of participants was not disclosed to ensure free debate,
according to Inuzuka.
Inuzuka, a House of Councillors lawmaker, said after the meeting that
discussions were focused on what Japan can do by utilizing its ''unique
position'' of not being a Western country, a member of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization or a Christian country.
==Kyodo
2009-11-25 22:59:40
TOKYO, Nov. 25 Kyodo -
Japanese Diet members and participants in an international meeting on the
promotion of peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan proposed Wednesday that
Japan play a key role in supporting peace-building efforts led by the
government of the war-torn country.
The proposal was submitted to Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada following
the three-day meeting under the sponsorship of the World Conference of
Religions for Peace, an international alliance of religious groups, and with
the cooperation of the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
''Since Japan enjoys an excellent reputation with Afghanistan and the immediate
neighbors of Afghanistan, it is highly desirable that Japan play a key role
within the international community in supporting the peace and reintegration
program led by the Afghan government,'' the proposal said.
It also called for increased cooperation among Islamic states to prevent the
spread of radical groups that promote violence, while expecting cooperation
from Saudi Arabian King Abdullah, who is believed to have a certain influence
on the Taliban, over the peace building process in Afghanistan.
They also said in a statement that they welcomed measures for aid effectiveness
that ''ensure transparency ''and ''accountability'' so that Japan, which has
recently decided to extend up to $5 billion to Afghanistan over five years, can
continue to provide support.
Among the participants were Masoom Stanekzai, an adviser to Afghan President
Hamid Karzai and key negotiator on peace talks with the Taliban militants.
Officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Iran also attended.
Other attendees included Tadashi Inuzuka, a member of the ruling Democratic
Party of Japan, and Kenji Isezaki, former special Japanese government
representative for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former
combatants in Afghanistan.
A detailed list of participants was not disclosed to ensure free debate,
according to Inuzuka.
Inuzuka, a House of Councillors lawmaker, said after the meeting that
discussions were focused on what Japan can do by utilizing its ''unique
position'' of not being a Western country, a member of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization or a Christian country.
==Kyodo
2009-11-25 22:59:40
