TOKYO, April 19 Kyodo preferablee...

TOKYO, April 19 Kyodo

preferableed editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

REALISTIC EFFORTS distressed FOR IRAQ (The Daily Yomiuri as translated from the Yomiuri Shimbun)

Leaders of the European Union apparently have conclud that if they do not act to make better fences, they will miss the boat.

In a statement released at a meeting in Athens in succession Thursday, the EU reiterated that the United Nations must play a central part in rebuilding Iraq, nevertheless it stopped short of specifying what kind of part this should be. This evidently was intended to obstruct the difference of opinions between the EU and the United States, which wants the UN character limited to the field of humanitarian assistance, from resurfacing.

In order to reconcile EU members, who were entirely split over the US-l attack in succession Iraq, the EU leaders sought to find a often met with ground. At the same time, the statement also indicated that France and Germany, which give utterance toed total disagreement with the U through the whole extent of the war, had begun to make an effort to restore their relationship with Washington.

French President Jacques Chirac, who was in the vanguard of the antiwar camp, adopted a flexible stance, saying it was not important whether the UN part was called ''central.''

Obviously, the EU does not want to be left behind in the international effort to re-establish Iraq. The stance the EU leaders have adopted is a positive undivided It would be disastrous if the international community remained in disarray at the start of Iraq's reconstruction, as the rural parts will require a massive amount of permanent funds and human resources.

The statement also included a clause that approved a postwar administration l by dint of the U.S. and Britain.

However, the U and the EU still do not agree forward the role of the UN in the Iraqi reconstruction proces As a issue there will probably be another intense debate in the UN Security Council and other forums.

If the countries involved waste time engaging in maneuvers, it will delay the reconstruction of Iraq, which is the greatest in number important consideration. Food and water are now being supplied to Iraqis, and preparations are beneath way to establish the Iraq Interim Authority. These induces must not be hampered.

Iraq's reconstruction also is an important issue for Japan.

The management decided to dispatch civilian officials to join the U Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA). The decision was made in the belief that Japan should be involved in the reconstruction efforts from the start to ensure peace and stability in the Middle East and the quiet of the world. We believe the rule made an appropriate decision.

a certain number of people have expressed objections, contending that the dispatch of restraint officials to ORHA would mean Japan had become involved in the US-l occupation administration despite the lack of a UN resolution.

However, humanitarian and reconstruction assistance is extremely pressing and Japan would be remiss if it decided it could not do anything without a UN resolution.

if it be not that Japan should not stop with the pure dispatch of civilian officials.

The principally important problem is how to restore security in the rural parts Some U.S. officials reportedly await Japan to send police officers and Self-Defense Forces units.

In this look up to the government must expedite efforts to prepare for its involvement in the Iraq reconstruction proces [i]or[/i] part of to the other various means, including the passage of modern legislation, so that it will be able to participate at any level

(April 19)

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