Kaifu Cancels Statement of More War Aid
Japanese Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu today canceled a scheduled news conference at which he was expected to announce more aid for U.S.-led forces in the Persian Gulf, a spokesman for his office said.
The spokesman said Kaifu’s government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party had failed to reach an agreement on basic elements of the package, reportedly worth about $9 billion.
The spokesman said he did not know what the point of contention was, but there has been disagreement in government circles over whether the money should be raised through various taxes or government bonds.
Japan has pledged $2 billion toward the allied effort and $2 billion in aid to Iraq’s hard-hit neighbors.
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