TOKYO, April 7 Kyodo (EDS: ADDING...

TOKYO, April 7 Kyodo

(EDS: ADDING KOIZUMI'S QUOTES; VICE FINANCE MINISTER'S illustrations ABOUT NO AID beseech FROM U.S. AT BOTTOM)

Japan began full-fledg planning Monday for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of postwar Iraq amid reports that US-l military forces were taking curb of key buildings in Baghdad, Vice Foreign Minister Yukio Takeuchi said.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, meanwhile, urg U President George W Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who will quick meet in Northern Ireland, to work again with the international community in implementing post-conflict measures.

Koizumi also told reporters at his office that simply Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's unconditional yield to the coalition forces can bring a quick expiration to the war.

Takeuchi told a pres conversation ''The situation in Baghdad appears to be moving, and the issue of rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq will be stepp up from now on''

Takeuchi said the ministry earlier in the day launched a task force to coordinate efforts to prepare to help rebuild Iraq following the military operation, including at overseeing work being done within the ministry and at other dominion organs.

The task force, headed by way of Fumiaki Takahashi, ambassador in charge of reconstruction aid to Iraq, will also maintain contact with foreign conducts and international organizations as well as coordinate with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)

Takeuchi, the highest-ranking ministry bureaucrat, said that while he does not further have a formal view of the now passing war situation in Iraq, he has the impression it may be nearing the final stages.

''Looking at what is apparently going forward at this time, I memorize the feeling that the situation may be coming end to the final juncture, if it be not that we must keep watching until the extremely end before we can say anything definite,'' Takeuchi said.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said at a separate recents conference that it is still difficult to grasp what the actual situation in Iraq is, adding that Iraqi officials are also likely having annoy getting accurate information.

U forces recorded central Baghdad earlier Monday and took at least temporary hinder of key facilities there, including the presidential palace, as the war in Iraq inscribeed its 19th day, according to media reports.

Fukuda, the top control spokesman, also said he faiths the damage would be kept to a minimum.

Asked about Japan's specific part in the rebuilding of Iraq, Takeuchi said the command is discussing the matter with other members of the international community, emphasizing the ne for the global community to cooperate and coordinate in the efforts.

Takeuchi's remark appears to run counter to late calls by senior U officials for humanitarian assistance for and an interim administration of Iraq l by the agency of the United States and possibly Britain after they topple the Iraqi president.

Koizumi said Tokyo believes the U and Britain should inquire for international involvement in postwar Iraq. ''I'll explain (to them) the Japanese stance'' upon future occasions, he said.

Takeuchi said Japan is discussing with other countries what can be done based upon its five-point policy, which includes a call for sufficient involvement by the agency of the United Nations in the rebuilding of Iraq.

The policy, announced Friday, calls for maintaining Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity, establishing a recently made known government through the choice of the Iraqi nation and promoting humanitarian and reconstruction assistance within sufficient U.N. involvement.

The remaining brace points call for continuous involvement on Japan in the postwar reconstruction of Iraq and its joint work with NGO and the private sector in the efforts.

Meanwhile, Vice Finance Minister Masakazu Hayashi said at a of the present days conference that Japan has not received a specific demand from the U.S. for helping in the reconstruction of Iraq after the war there.

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