Koizumi assures UN envoy of Tokyo's support for Burma
(AFP) Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has assured UN envoy Razali Ismail that Japan's support for troubled Burma remained unchanged, an official said.
"Japan considers it important to promote democratisation efforts," Koizumi told the UN envoy for Burma during a visit to Kuala Lumpur, according to a Japanese foreign ministry official.
"At the same time, it is important to provide the support necessary for stable procedures in Burma's nation-building," Koizumi said. "We want to proceed with the two ideas together."
Razali, a Malaysian acting as the UN mediator between Burma's military junta and the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) headed by Aung San Suu Kyi, welcomed Koizumi's remarks.
"We praise Japan's humanitarian assistance and hope Japan will continue (its support) in the future," Razali told Koizumi, according to the Japanese official.
"I hope other countries will provide further support once the political process moves forward," the UN envoy said.
Aid-for-reform
Japan had suspended all but a small amount of humanitarian aid following the junta's 1988 seizure of power, but the flow of funds resumed in 1994.
Its aid-for-reform strategy has been criticised in the West, notably by the United States which says that despite signs of a political thaw, it remains inappropriate to deal with Burma's military rulers.
Japan is Burma's biggest donor, providing 1.9 billion yen (14.3 million dollars) in grant aid as well as 1.6 billion yen in technical assistance to the country in the year to March 2001.
(AFP) Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has assured UN envoy Razali Ismail that Japan's support for troubled Burma remained unchanged, an official said.
"Japan considers it important to promote democratisation efforts," Koizumi told the UN envoy for Burma during a visit to Kuala Lumpur, according to a Japanese foreign ministry official.
"At the same time, it is important to provide the support necessary for stable procedures in Burma's nation-building," Koizumi said. "We want to proceed with the two ideas together."
Razali, a Malaysian acting as the UN mediator between Burma's military junta and the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) headed by Aung San Suu Kyi, welcomed Koizumi's remarks.
"We praise Japan's humanitarian assistance and hope Japan will continue (its support) in the future," Razali told Koizumi, according to the Japanese official.
"I hope other countries will provide further support once the political process moves forward," the UN envoy said.
Aid-for-reform
Japan had suspended all but a small amount of humanitarian aid following the junta's 1988 seizure of power, but the flow of funds resumed in 1994.
Its aid-for-reform strategy has been criticised in the West, notably by the United States which says that despite signs of a political thaw, it remains inappropriate to deal with Burma's military rulers.
Japan is Burma's biggest donor, providing 1.9 billion yen (14.3 million dollars) in grant aid as well as 1.6 billion yen in technical assistance to the country in the year to March 2001.
Razali, during his sixth visit to the military-ruled state, last month spent an unprecedented two-and-a-half hours at Aung San Suu Kyi's (pix) lakeside residence in Yangon.
The talks were believed to have focused on expediting the release of political prisoners and the eventual inclusion of ethnic minorities in tripartite talks after issues between the NLD and the junta are resolved.
Historic talks between Aung San Suu Kyi and the ruling State Peace and Development Council began in October 2000 but progress seems to have stalled in recent months, diplomats say.
