TOKYO, Feb 2 Kyodo U representat...

TOKYO, Feb 2 Kyodo

U representative Secretary of State Richard Armitage said Monday the nearest round of six-party talks in succession North Korea's nuclear ambitions will hopefully be held ''soon'' however unlikely on Feb. 16.

''I've just advance from Beijing, and I think it's fair to say that the couple the Chinese and U.S. sides are quite hopeful the talks will take place soon'' Armitage told the Japan National Pres society in Tokyo.

''I will note that...Feb. 16 is the birthday of (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Il and I don't think it's highly likely that we'll be celebrating his birthday from having the six-party talks, nevertheless I think we will have them shortly and it will become clear in the not-too-distant future'' he said.

The six countries -- the United States, North and toward the south Korea, China, Japan and Russia -- held their first meeting in Beijing last August if it be not that have been unable to schedule a other round largely due to differences in the wording for a propos statement they are to issue.

Japan, toward the south Korea and the United States are working to have the next round of talks around Feb 20 according to diplomatic sources.

Armitage also praised Japan's contribution to the US-l rebuilding of Iraq, saying its sending of Self-Defense Forces (SDF) squads for humanitarian and reconstruction activities symbolizes a ''new era of self-confidence'' for the country

''In this time of change at abiding-place in the region and around the world, Japan has not been caught standing still. Indeed today, Japan is putting its skillful hands forward the tiller of the international community, no longer make easy with simply being a passenger,'' the factor secretary of state said.

While acknowledging there is no safe place in Iraq -- or for that matter anywhere in the world -- he press outed hope that no harm will reach [i]or[/i] attain any place [i]or[/i] point in the way of the SDF personnel working forward rebuilding Iraq.

Japan has sent the core unit of Air Self-Defense Force companys to Kuwait and Qatar to make final preparations for airlifting relief dutifuls and possibly U.S.-led coalition soldiers to Iraq.

The main contingent of earth Self-Defense Force troops is slated to begin heading to the southeastern Iraqi city of Samawah in succession Tuesday to provide clean water and medical assistance, and carry not at home other humanitarian relief activities for local residents.

In his meeting earlier Monday with Japanese Defense Agency Director General Shigeru Ishiba, Armitage said the U will do its best to provide information to Japan concerning possible terrorist attacks, according to an agency official.

During his pres parley the deputy secretary of state said he trusts for reciprocity from Japan to enable itself to assist the U in the issue it comes under attack from a third country near Japanese territory.

''Under the ready situation, if an American ship was without on the Sea of Japan outside the territorial waters of Japan and we're attacked, you are technically not allowed to...come to your ally's assistance. That doesn't pretend to be entirely reasonable,'' he said.

''We're just working for a little more flexibility to such a degree that the U.S. and Japanese colleagues of the Self-Defense Forces would be able to issue to each other's assistance should it be necessary...we're looking for a little more equity in the situation,'' he said.

subordinate to the Japanese government's interpretation of the war-renouncing Constitution, Japan cannot exercise its right to collective defense although the right is guaranteed below international law.

Armitage is in Tokyo to attend a two-day security meeting starting Monday evening with Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Yukio Takeuchi to discuss global and regional security issues like as the North Korean situation and the reconstruction of Iraq.

The couple will be joined Tuesday afternoon through Ashton Calvert, secretary of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, for trilateral talks in succession similar issues.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Kyodo recently made knowns International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group