Now it's Clinton's turn to reassure the Japanese

Now it's Clinton's turn to reassure the Japanese

JAKARTA (Reuter): U.S. President Bill Clinton assured Japan
yesterday that his policy will not change because of the defeats
suffered by his Democrats in last week's mid-term congressional
elections, Japanese officials said.

"I am not worried at all about your coalition government now,"
Japanese officials quoted Clinton as telling Prime Minister
Tomiichi Murayama. "It is my turn to tell you not to worry."

Clinton said he won support on his policies with the
victorious Republicans. "So, please don't worry," Clinton said.

Murayama last met Clinton in Naples in July, only days after
he became prime minister at the head of a shaky Socialist-
Liberal Democratic alliance.

At the time, Murayama spent most of his time with Clinton
assuring him that basic Japanese policies will not change under
his new government.

The two are in Jakarta to attend the APEC leaders meeting in
Bogor today.

On trade, Clinton asked Murayama to speed up the reopening of
the stalled talks on cars and car parts, which account for some
60 percent of the $60 billion U.S. trade deficit with Japan.

"This is very important for the United States," Clinton was
quoted as telling Murayama.

Murayama only said he would do his best for an early
conclusion of the so-called framework talks.

When the talks broke down last month, the United States
threatened to slap sanctions on Japan.

Murayama also said he would push through parliament the
pending ratification of the Uruguay Round multilateral trade
talks agreement.

"We will not lag behind the United States on the World Trade
Organization treaty," Murayama told Clinton. The WTO is to be
founded next January in place of the General Agreement on Tariffs
and Trade (GATT).

At the meeting, Murayama formally suggested the two countries
jointly adopt a "common agenda" to address global issues such as
drugs, children's health, environment, AIDS and population.

Japanese officials said senior officials from the two
governments will meet in Washington later this month to begin
discussions on a joint platform.

Suggested plans include a $12 billion scheme to combat AIDS
and population overgrowth in Thailand, the Philippines and
Indonesia for the next six years.