jcp

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

JCP chair talks with Pakistani prime minister

Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chair Shii Kazuo on August 10 met with visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz at a Tokyo hotel. They agreed on the importance of building a new international order based on peace and justice within this century.

Referring to Prime Minister Aziz's essay on Pakistan's foreign policy in the new world order that human beings are moving toward a new order in harmony with peace, cultures, and religions, Shii said, "I share this recognition with you."

Prime Minister Aziz in reply emphasized that basic principles toward a fair ordering, which calls for a strong U.N. system, peaceful resolution of disputes, tolerance and understanding for other political and social systems, values, and cultures, and an equitable and just economic order, are what the present world needs. He especially stressed the understanding of different values and cultures.

Aziz went on to talk about the role Muslim states should play to establish diplomatic relations respecting various values and to overcome terrorism beyond the difference of ethnic groups and religions.

Shii agreed with Aziz by saying, "It is wrong to link terrorism with a particular religion or culture," and put emphasis on dialogue and coexistence among different cultures. He then related the JCP efforts to develop close ties with Muslim states representing 1.2 billion people. -- Akahata, August 11, 2005