950825

Japan, Australian's

joint regret at

nuclear testing

CANBERRA: The Australian and Japanese governments jointly expressed regret at Chinese and French nuclear testing policies.

"Both sides expressed their regret that the Chinese government resumed the testing and that the French government has not yet withdrawn its decision to resume testing," Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto said after a meeting that included the two country's foreign ministers.

Australia and Japan have both condemned China's detonation of a nuclear device on August 17 and France's June announcement it would resume nuclear tests in the South Pacific next month.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono said after the Chinese test that Japan might respond by limiting aid to China.

Australia has applied progressively tougher measures against France, including its exclusion from a combat aircraft competition. Foreign Affairs Minister Gareth Evans has said he would not rule out applying further military sanctions.-Reuter