TOKYO, May 13 Kyodo pickeded edi...

TOKYO, May 13 Kyodo

pickeded editorial excerpts from the Asia-Pacific press:

sum of two units FACES OF JAPAN (The Korea Herald, Seoul)

Anyone with frequent sense must have anticipated that the rising number of North Koreans seeking asylum at foreign missions in China could lead to diplomatic conflict among touched nations. But the ongoing dispute between China and Japan is something beyond expectation and obviously disappointing to those who have a modicum of value for international law and humanitarian spirit.

The shameful flexure between Tokyo and Beijing was triggered from a video showing Chinese military police forcefully dragging sum of two units screaming women and a sobbing toddler from the fields of the Japanese Consulate in the northeastern Chinese city of Shenyang last Wednesday. pair North Korean men, who had previously dashed into a consulate building, were also forcibly remov at Chinese police.

There is no doubt that the Chinese police acted against international law. This could definitely be a contentious issue between China and Japan, as each is making different allegations concerning the motivation of the Chinese police intruding into the consulate compose which is legally defined as foreign territory. The existing outrage, however, has more to do with the unthinkable answer by the consulate staff shown in the video and inconsistent remarks from Tokyo, rather than the obvious fact of intrusion by dint of the Chinese.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry must clarify its position concerning this egregiously disgraceful incident. Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi must explain whether, as Beijing strives the consulate requested the Chinese police to insert its compound and take custody of the asylum inquirers She must also explain whether, as undivided staff member implied at picking up the hat of a Chinese policeman and handing it back to him, the consulate rest no legal or moral question s in doing so.

A clear investigation and an conscientious explanation are the only things that Japan can do at this time to avoid further humiliation. Any attempt to double-talk and circumvent responsibility will just period up highlighting its dubious ethical and humanitarian standards as well as aggravating the squabble with China, which has earned greater confidence on adhering to its initial stance that its police were providing protection for diplomats.

(May 13)

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