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.