Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� September, 2002

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Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, currently visiting the United States, held separate talks with the leaders of Afghanistan, India, and the United States respectively, in New York. In talks with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, Prime Minister Koizumi indicated that Japan would continue its support for the reconstruction of Afghanistan, and as part of the measures to support the process of reconstruction, the Prime Minister expressed his intention to provide 50 million US dollars for repair of the main road linking the capital Kabul and Kandahar. Next, at the summit meeting with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee of India, regarding the continuing conflict in Kashmir between India and Pakistan, Prime Minister Koizumi called for efforts to resolve the issue through bilateral dialogue. Prime Minister Koizumi also insisted on Japan's position aiming for the elimination of nuclear weapons, calling on India to strive for nuclear disarmament. Prime Minister Vajpayee responded, "If all countries were to eliminate their nuclear weapons, India would not fall behind." At the summit meeting with President George W. Bush of the United States, the leaders exchanged views on economic issues. Prime Minister Koizumi underscored his resolve to swiftly stabilize Japan's financial system, while President Bush reiterated his support for structural reform, and they confirmed Japan-U.S. collaboration toward economic recovery. In regard to the issue of Iraq, Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his view that "measures to gain further international cooperation should be considered." President Bush stated that he was giving plenty of consideration to the importance of international cooperation. In addition, Prime Minister Koizumi explained his approach to the summit meeting between Japan and North Korea. In response, President Bush expressed his support for the visit of Prime Minister Koizumi to North Korea. President Bush also expressed his strong concerns about the issue of weapons of mass destruction and indicated his intention to continue to collaborate on the issue of North Korea.