Japan delays decision on EAEC<\/p>\n
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama
\non Saturday said it was premature for Tokyo to decide whether to
\njoin the East Asian Economic Caucus (EAEC), a Malaysian plan that
\nwill remain stalled without Asia's trade powerhouse.<\/p>\n
Murayama, during two and one-half hours of talks with his
\nMalaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohamad, said he understood the
\naims of the caucus, but felt the understanding of other
\ncountries, including the United States, was vital.<\/p>\n
\"Mr. Murayama said he understands the concept and appreciates
\nMahathir's endeavor to explain to President Bill Clinton. But he
\nsaid the support of other countries, including the United States,
\nshould also be sought,\" said Kishichiro Amae, a Japanese
\nspokesman who briefed reporters after the talks.<\/p>\n
\"He (Murayama) feels it is too premature for Japan to decide
\nwhether to support or become a full member of the EAEC right now
\nand he will continue to study and consider the proposal,\" Amae
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The Japanese prime minister flew in late Friday from Hanoi for
\na three-day visit. Murayama is on the third leg of his four-
\nnation tour of Southeast Asia, which will take him to Singapore
\non Sunday.<\/p>\n
Mahathir explained the EAEC as a loose consultative group for
\nEast Asia's fastest-growing economies, and not a trading bloc or
\nan organization designed to counter the Asia-Pacific Economic
\nCooperation forum, Amae said.<\/p>\n
Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Badawi, in a separate
\nbriefing, said Mahathir stressed that the EAEC would create a
\nprosperous and ultimately stable region in Southeast Asia.<\/p>\n
EAEC proponents come mainly from the Association of Southeast
\nAsian Nations, which groups Malaysia with Brunei, the
\nPhilippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. They have voiced
\na commitment to an open, multilateral trading system.<\/p>\n
Malaysian officials have admitted that Japan's support was
\ncrucial for the EAEC to take off.<\/p>\n
U.S. opposition to the formation of the caucus triggered an
\nangry reaction in Malaysia, and Japan found itself in a quandary:
\nwhether to defy the United States at a sensitive time in their
\nrelationship or again appear to bow to humiliating pressure,
\nanalysts said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/japan-delays-decision-on-eaec-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}