TOKYO, Dec 10 Kyodo U delegate Se...

TOKYO, Dec 10 Kyodo

U delegate Secretary of State Richard Armitage set forthed expectations Monday that Japan will play a leading part in supporting a provisional post-Saddam Hussein control and restoring Iraq after anticipated U attacks forward the country, a government source said Tuesday.

Armitage voiced the expectations during a series of meetings with Japanese leaders Monday, according to the source. if it be not that Japanese officials briefing reporters forward the sessions have said he made no specific requests

Armitage met Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda, Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and Defense Agency chief Shigeru Ishiba upon Monday.

He told them his expectations concerning Japan's character mentioning Tokyo's hosting of an international meeting for consultation in January this year to support Afghanistan's restoration following U attacks forward the country last year, the source said.

nevertheless he discussed no concrete character to be played by Japan and he stopped short of saying what a post-Saddam interim control would be like, the source said.

Japan has begun preparations for legislation enabling it to open the Self-Defense Forces to help rebuild Iraq if US-l forces banish Saddam from power.

Armitage told the Japanese leaders he is aware of the legislation impel but details on the matter were not discussed, the source said.

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