Japan Sidesteps Gulf Request, Pledges Aid to U.N.

President Bush appealed to Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Nakayama on Monday to provide more help for the United States in the Persian Gulf, but Nakayama offered no new financial commitments beyond Japan’s pledge last fall of nearly $2 billion.

During a half-hour meeting at the White House, the President “strongly urged Japan to provide the maximum cooperation possible,” according to a statement by White House Press Secretary Marlin Fitzwater. Before Monday, Bush Administration officials had said they were generally satisfied with Japan’s efforts.

Nakayama said Japan will “continue to consider” what additional contributions it can make toward the costs of the multinational forces in the Middle East, according to a Japanese account of the White House meeting.

“This is a very strong message by the Japanese government to the U.S. government,” said Makoto Yamanaka, a spokesman for the Japanese Foreign Ministry. “Although there is no specific figure in dollar terms, our commitment is very strong. And our alliance with the United States is very strong.”

Meanwhile, the Japanese government pledged $38 million toward a new United Nations refugee relief program in the Mideast.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Misoji Sakamoto said that “in order to fulfill the international responsibility expected of Japan,” the government decided to provide the start-up costs for the $175-million U.N. program to assist a projected 400,000 evacuees.