950820

Japan, US to

boost security cooperation

in Asia

TOKYO: Japan and the United States will diversify their security agreements by boosting cooperation in international disputes and offering further contribution to stability in Asia, a newspaper said on Sunday.

The two countries will issue a joint declaration underscoring as well as broadening the US-Japan Security Treaty, when US President Bill Clinton is to visit Tokyo in November, the Sankei Shimbun said.

According to a draft of the planned declaration, obtained by the Japanese newspaper in Washington, the two countries will pledge their further contribution to "maintaining stability in entire Asia."

The declaration will call for an early conclusion of an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement to promote ties between the two armies, the newspaper said.

The planned agreement is designed to boost their mutual cooperation in joint military practice and UN peacekeeping activities, including tasks of communications and transport of food and fuel in disputed areas.

The joint declaration will also urge the two countries to help prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote regular forums with other Asian countries to prepare for future disputes in the region.

The draft will be finalised during planned meetings of Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono and Defense Agency chief Seishiro Eto and their US counterparts in late September in Washington, Sankei said.

An announcement is expected during Clinton's state visit to Tokyo following a summit of members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Osaka on November 19.

The declaration is aimed at reviewing the definition of the bilateral treaty and building a new partnership to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, Sankei said.

But Tokyo and Washington have no plan to fully revise the treaty, the daily said, adding that the declaration will be made in a form of official diplomatic documents or joint statements.-AFP