Japan gets regional support for UN bid

Japan gets regional support for UN bid

TOKYO (AFP): Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama
received near unanimous support for Tokyo's bid to join the UN
Security Council during his recent tour Asian tour, but the
question is far from resolved at home.

Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand all unreservedly supported
Japan becoming a permanent member of the Security Council joining
Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

On Saturday Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was the
first to back the move, followed by Singapore President Ong Teng
the next day and Thai Premier Chuan Leekpai Monday.

Chuan is due here tomorrow for an official visit.

Japan was "the best possible candidate" among Asian countries
Chuan said, adding that Japan must not delay in making clear its
intentions because to do so would be to see Asian countries
looking for another candidate.

But support did not come from the Philippines or Vietnam, the
first two stops on Murayama's tour, neither of which took a
position.

But in January Philippine Foreign Minister Roberto Romulo had
said his government supported Tokyo's candidature.

For all the support expressed, Murayama was unable to give a
clear indication to his hosts as to Tokyo's intentions.

Japanese politicians are divided over the question, which is
politically sensitive as it touches on the country's future
international commitments.

Murayama has treated the issue with extreme caution since he
came to power in June as the country's first socialist prime
minister in 47 years.

No campaign

He believes Japan should not mount an active campaign to get
elected to the Security Council, and if picked it should not be
obliged to take on an international military role which its post-
war pacifist constitution specifically prohibits.

On the other hand Foreign Minister Yohei Kono, who comes from
the conservative Liberal Democratic Party, the socialists'
partner in the government, has openly said he believes Japan
should have a seat, but under certain conditions.

He believes Japan should continue to refrain from building
nuclear weapons, even though all the other permanent members are
nuclear powers.

The other two conditions which would have to be met, are
support from other Asian countries and from the Japanese people.

In Asia, China and South Korea, both of which suffered most
under Japanese military rule before and during World War II, have
not taken a firm stand.

Another Japanese minister who has joined the fray is Minister
of International Trade and Industry Ryutaro Hashimoto, who has
criticized Murayama for hesitating, saying Sunday that Japan
could suffer 'disadvantages" if it stayed out of the council.

But despite differing views on the Security Council issue and
claims that Murayama has failed to define clearly what role Japan
should play in the region, the Japanese public apparently gives
him credit for his handling of international affairs during his
Southeast Asian tour.

The public support rate for his cabinet's rose to 43.3
percent, exceeding for the first time the percentage of those
people critical of his administration, a poll published Wednesday
by the leading Yomiuri newspaper revealed.