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| By: Associated Press |
| Published: July 3, 2006 |
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Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is still scheduled to visit Israel and the Middle East later this month, despite escalating violence there, the chief Cabinet spokesman said Monday.
"There is no change to the schedule of the prime minister's trip, but we will continue to watch the developments closely," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe.
The Japanese leader is expected to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories before attending the G8 summit of industrialized nations in mid-July in Russia.
But last week officials said they were reevaluating those plans, after Palestinian militants took an Israeli soldier captive prompting Israeli forces to enter southern Gaza in response.
The Israeli ground offensive is the first in Gaza since Israel pulled out of the territory last summer, tearing down all 21 Jewish settlements. The strikes come amid intensive diplomatic efforts to broker a truce in the Arab world and by the United Nations.
"Japan is deeply concerned about the recent deterioration of the situation," Abe told reporters. "In order to avoid further deterioration in the situation, we ask both the Palestinian and Israeli sides to exercise maximum self-restraint." |
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