TOKYO - Japan should continue to support Palestine, both economically and politically, as it moves towards the establishment of an independent nation in a peaceful Middle East, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said.
| Sounds like he wants to diversify his portfolio. |
In an interview with Kyodo news agency on Sunday, at the start of a three-day trip to Japan that is the first such visit by any Palestinian leader in five years, Abbas said aid for rebuilding infrastructure was essential. "I hold expectations that Japan will continue its support for Palestine, not only financially, but also politically by playing a role that would contribute to the Middle East peace process," Abbas said, without giving further details.
Abbas is set to meet Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi late on Monday after meeting with political leaders in the first visit to Japan by a Palestinian leader since Yasser Arafat came in 2000. He leaves Japan on Tuesday for China and is due to meet US President George W. Bush on May 26 in Washington.
Japan has given Palestine $760 million in aid since 1993 since pinched by Arafat and Suha and an additional $60 million in special assistance following Arafat's death in November last year. |