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| By: Associated Press |
| Published: June 28, 2006 |
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Japan is reevaluating a trip by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to the Middle East next month, an official said Wednesday after Israeli forces entered southern Gaza in response to Palestinian militants holding captive an Israeli soldier.
The Japanese leader was expected to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories before attending the G8 summit of industrialized nations in mid-July in Russia. But the recent spike in violence may alter those plans, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said.
"At this stage, we have not decided on what to do," Abe said. "In any case, various things occur in this region, so we need to constantly keep a close watch."
The Israeli ground offensive was the first in Gaza since Israel pulled out of the territory last summer, tearing down all 21 Jewish settlements. The strikes comes amid intensive diplomatic efforts to broker a truce in the Arab world and by the United Nations.
"The achievement of peace in the Middle East is a significant issue not only for the Palestinians and the Israelis, but also for the entire region and for the world," Abe said. "To achieve that peace, Japan must firmly carry out the contributions it can make."
"From that perspective, the prime minister hopes not only to visit the Middle East but to accomplish Japan's role," Abe said. |
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