Japan's defense chief to leave for E. Timor on Friday

0 Comments | Asian Political News, August 19, 2002

TOKYO, Aug. 15 Kyodo

Defense Agency chief Gen Nakatani will leave for East Timor on Friday to meet President Xanana Gusmao and inspect Japanese defense personnel engaged in peace-keeping operations there before visiting Australia, agency officials said Thursday.

In East Timor, Nakatani is scheduled to meet President Gusmao, Roque Rodrigues, state secretary for East Timor's defense force, and other key government officials in the capital of Dili on Monday.

Nakatani is expected to convey Tokyo's willingness to continue its support for the world's newest nation, which won independence after decades of Indonesian rule on May 20, following a U.N.-administered transition period.

Ahead of holding talks with these officials, Nakatani on Sunday will meet members of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force stationed there as part of U.N. peace-keeping operations.

The defense chief will also hold talks with Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill in Canberra on Tuesday to exchange views on the possibility of U.S. attacks on Iraq and the situation in the Middle East, the officials said.

Nakatani is expected to return on Wednesday.