JCP int'l head and Lao vice-prime minister agree on working to solve Iraq question peacefully

Japanese Communist Party International Bureau Director Ogata Yasuo (Upper House member) and Vice-director Kasai Akira on November 28 met with Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos Somsavat Lengsavat at the Lao Foreign Ministry in Vientiane. They agreed on the need to strengthen efforts to achieve a peaceful solution to the Iraq question.

Ogata conveyed greetings from JCP Central Committee Chair Fuwa Tetsuzo and Executive Committee Chair Shii Kazuo to Lao People's Revolutionary Party President Khamtay Siphandone, wishing to see friendship further developed between the JCP, the LPRP, and the Lao government.

Ogata explained that the JCP places importance on a peaceful solution to the Iraqi question, which Somsavat agreed with.

Somsavat said that problems in Iraq as a U.N. member state should be dealt with by U.N. initiatives, particularly, by the strict implementation of UNSC resolution 1441.

On the question of North Korea, Ogata and Somsavat stressed that North Korea should comply with the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration, and all ASEAN members are ready to solve the North Korean issue at the ASEAN Regional Forum.

Ogata extended his appreciation to President Khamtay for having sent a message to the 2002 World Conference against A and H Bombs and for an active role of the Lao government in ASEAN.

Somsavat emphasized that the initiative for ASEAN integration (IAI) is important in order to fill the economic gap between ASEAN nations. (end)