JCP Ogata talks with Thai Senator

Japanese Communist Party International Bureau Director Ogata Yasuo and Vice-director Kasai Akira on November 25 held talks with Kraisak Choonhavan, chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in Bangkok, Thailand.

Referring to the recent terror attack in Bali, Indonesia, Kraisak said that the efforts to get rid of terrorists should be through political means.

Ogata reported on his visit to Iraq, during which he stressed the importance of the Iraqi government complying with the U.N. resolution so as not to give the United States any excuse for launching an attack against Iraq. Ogata also explained the JCP views on the co-existence of different civilizations.

Kraisak said that although Thailandﾕs major religion is Buddhism, there are millions of Muslims in the country and he stressed the importance of understanding Muslim beliefs.

Ogata explained the history of the JCPﾕs struggle against interferences in JCP activities by the former Soviet Union and China, and the JCP view on democratic socialism.

Kraisak, in reply, said the present state of capitalism must be reformed.

When Kraisak pointed out that Japan fails to take serious views on international issues, Ogata admitted that Japan lags behind rapidly changing international situations and emphasized the need to enhance cooperation between Japan and the international community. (end)