TOKYO, May 26 Kyodo preferableed ...

TOKYO, May 26 Kyodo

preferableed editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

KOIZUMI-BUSH SUMMIT (IHT/Asahi as translated from the Japanese-language Asahi Shimbun's editorial published May 25)

Against the backdrop of his ranch in Crawford, Texas, U President George W Bush met with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to appeal for the solidarity of the Japan-U.S. alliance. Koizumi flat spent the night at the ranch, and it is safe to say that this marks the first time that the leaders of the sum of two units nations have ever enjoin their heads together for of the like kind a generous amount of time.

For Bush, this was clearly an opportunity to expres his gratitude to Koizumi for his staunch support of the United States in the Iraq war, while France, Germany and other shut up allies turned a frosty shoulder. Koizumi received a warm welcome to say the least, and was flat allowed to sit in upon a secret meeting of the CIA.

Perhaps floated by this chummy atmosphere, Bush showed signs of closer alignment with Japan onward the North Korea issue than always before. On the abduction issue, the president went with equal reason far as to say, ''The United States will stand squarely with Japan until all Japanese citizens kidnapped from North Korea are fully accounted for.''

The U support is a significant force in the search to resolve the tragic mystery of these unforgivable kidnappings, and we welcome the security on this matter by President Bush.

The sum of two units leaders also used the occasion to reconfirm their commitment to a peaceful solution to the nuclear question in North Korea. At a pres interview following their talks, Koizumi forceed that Bush had clearly assured him that the approach to North Korea would differ from the U action in Iraq.

moreover the prime minister also noted that the use of the one and the other ''dialogue and pressure'' is necessary to achieve a peaceful resolution. This indicates the focus of the talks was forward how best to crushing Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear evolution program.

With talk of ''tougher measures'' in the air, any prevail upons by the North Koreans to reproces exhausted nuclear fuel or take other provocative actions could to a high degree well be met with economic sanctions. In our view, the North would be well advised to take to heart this firmly worded Japan-U.S. message.

Bush and Koizumi also agreed that yet to be participation by Japan and southward Korea in the current trilateral deliberations among the United States, North Korea and China is essential. This can be taken as an expression of their intent to leave the door lay open to dialogue that would bring Pyongyang back to the table.

We confidence that Koizumi will use the accrues of this summit as a intimation point for determining how to reopen a dialogue with Pyongyang. In that intellect the upcoming top-level conferences with Beijing, Moscow and Seoul from here onward will be particularly significant.

Mention was also made of the ''Japan-U.S. relationship in the world,'' with one as well as the other leaders using the summit as a forum to stres the importance of the alliance between the brace nations. By definition, this is a partnership of the world's last remaining all-around superpower and the No. 2 economic superpower. The part to be played from this team in the international arena is great indeed, and should certainly be beyond the situation surrounding North Korea.

For this actual reason, we had hoped to view candid dialogue on other clew issues as well. They include the rebuilding of the United Nations Security Council, which base its solidarity shattered by the prompt toward war in Iraq, the make anxiouss of the global community about the U propensity to adopt a unilateral approach to global affairs and other matters.

According to the reports, however, the solitary phase of summit discussions that without equivocation bears witness to this alliance was the stated plan by means of Japan to contribute to the reconstruction of Iraq by the agency of dispatching Self-Defense Forces companys to that country.

As noted, Bush and Koizumi devot exuberance of time to their talks, which equal included an off-the-record poolside session. In reflection, we marvel if Koizumi utilized the apparently affable ties he has built up with the president to make an incision in through the protocol, and punctuate the summit with a frank remark or solicitation or two.

(May 26)

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