Jan 28 10:25 PM US/EasternNEW YORK, Jan. 28 (AP) - (Kyodo) — U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice told her Japanese counterpart Wednesday that the administration of President Barack Obama places importance on Japan, diplomatic sources said.
During a call on Japanese Ambassador Yukio Takasu in New York, Rice praised Japan's assistance in the reconstruction of war-torn Afghanistan, on which Washington places top military priority, and expressed hope for Japan's further contributions, the sources said.
Rice, who presented her credentials to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on Monday, conveyed to Takasu messages from Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that the United States sees Japan as very important, they said.
She also said she wants to reinforce further the Japan-U.S. partnership in the United Nations, they added.
Rice's comments were believed to have been made in consideration of possible concerns in Japan that the new U.S. administration may be concentrating on strengthening ties with China, seeing that Tokyo and Washington enjoyed friendly relations under Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush.
Takasu told Rice that North Korea-linked issues, including the abduction of Japanese nationals to the reclusive country, are important to Japan and asked for the United States' cooperation in the event of a related emergency situation, the sources said.
Rice assured the Japanese ambassador that Washington would do so and also indicated that the United States will support Japan's bid to become a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, according to the sources.
Posts
