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Japan to play active role in rebuilding Afghanistan
Japan has pledged to play an `active` role in rebuilding Afghanistan and said it was ready to hold a peace conference for the war-shattered country as soon as possible.
Japan has pledged to play an "active" role in rebuilding Afghanistan and said it was ready to hold a peace conference for the war-shattered country as soon as possible.
Former prime minister Kiichi Miyazawa issued the call on Sunday in the annual debate of the UN General Assembly, which he controversially attended in place of Japan's foreign minister Makiko Tanaka. Japan intends to play an active role both in the peace process and in the reconstruction of Afghanistan," Miyazawa said.
He said that Tokyo would like to hold such a conference "at as early a time as possible."
Japanese officials last week said Tokyo was already helping Afghanistan through organisations such as the World Food Programme and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Japan has been seeking ways to help the US-declared "war on terrorism", but its constitution forbids it sending troops into combat abroad.
But in an unprecedented operation, Tokyo is sending warships to provide logistical backup to the US operation in Afghanistan -- the first time since 1945 that the country has sent troops abroad in support of military action. Bureau Report
Former prime minister Kiichi Miyazawa issued the call on Sunday in the annual debate of the UN General Assembly, which he controversially attended in place of Japan's foreign minister Makiko Tanaka. Japan intends to play an active role both in the peace process and in the reconstruction of Afghanistan," Miyazawa said.
He said that Tokyo would like to hold such a conference "at as early a time as possible."
Japanese officials last week said Tokyo was already helping Afghanistan through organisations such as the World Food Programme and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Japan has been seeking ways to help the US-declared "war on terrorism", but its constitution forbids it sending troops into combat abroad.
But in an unprecedented operation, Tokyo is sending warships to provide logistical backup to the US operation in Afghanistan -- the first time since 1945 that the country has sent troops abroad in support of military action. Bureau Report