Japanese govt supports Soeharto's initiative

Japanese govt supports Soeharto's initiative

JAKARTA (JP): Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Taizo Watanabe
is confident that Tuesday's APEC leaders meeting in Bogor will be
a milestone in advancing further economic development in the Asia
Pacific region.

"I am sure the meeting, under the excellent chairmanship of
President Soeharto, will further advance the objective of the
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum," Watanabe said in an
interview.

The Japanese diplomat, who started his posting here three
months ago, sees the meeting as a very important way to exchange
views and discuss the dynamic economy in the region.

He foresees vigorous and serious discussion not only on
further enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding but also
on trade and investment liberalization.

Watanabe referred to the recent report from the APEC's Eminent
Persons Group which, among other things, recommended free trade
in the region by 2020.

"I think there will be very active and productive discussions
based on the report," he added.

Japan, largely dependent on free international trade for its
economic development and growth, will certainly benefit from the
advancement of free trade within the framework of the World Trade
Organization, Watanabe said.

He discarded recent media reports of opposition in Japan to
the specific timetable recommended for achieving free trade in
the APEC region as simply not representing the view of the
Japanese government.

Watanabe said that the Japanese government pursues a system of
consensus building. During this process various views emerge and
some media may only emphasize the views of a particular segment.

The foreign press is free to highlight the angle they like.
But they don't always understand the Japanese system of consensus
building and may misunderstand the real situation, he said.

"But what I would like to emphasize is that the Japanese
government and Prime Minister Murayama firmly support the
initiative (regarding free trade) taken by President Soeharto,"
Watanabe stressed.(vin)