Japan hints at financial support for 'regional stability'

TOKYO (AFP) — Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi hinted Monday that Tokyo could offer financial support for "stability in the Middle East" in case of a US-led military war against Iraq. "As a member of the international community, we have to share certain responsibilities for the stability of the Middle East," Koizumi told a parliament session. The premier later said Japan's support would mainly focus on potential refugees and reconstruction of the region should the US-led military campaign proceed. The prime minister noted Tokyo had received no particular request for financial assistance from the US. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said separately that there has not been a final decision made on the type of contribution Tokyo would make. "We need to discuss the matter. We have to made a decision, taking every factor into consideration," Fukuda told reporters. Japan is unlikely to send troops to Iraq as the nation's post-war constitution prohibits its involvement in any international conflict.

Putin, Chirac stress common Iraq stance

MOSCOW (AFP) — French President Jacques Chirac and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin confirmed both countries' "similar stance" on Iraq in telephone talks Monday, a Kremlin statement said. "In their discussion of the situation concerning Iraq, they confirmed the similar stance of Russia and France, based on the priority of political and diplomatic means for solving the Iraqi problem," the statement said. The two leaders agreed that they would continue to coordinate their actions through the UN Security Council where they both wield veto power.

Arabs must act to avert war on Iraq, UAE defence minister says

DUBAI (AFP) — The Arab states still have a chance to stand united and prevent a war against Iraq, Emirati Defence Minister Sheikh Mohammad Ben Rashid Al Maktoum said Monday, warning that time, however, was short. "Dangerous events are taking place in the region and pushing Arab countries to a critical situation," warned the general, who is crown prince of Dubai. "This requires the Arabs to think clearly and realise the risks. They have to put aside their differences for some time and have a unified stance," he said in an interview with Asharq Al Awsat newspaper. "They have to propose an urgent and active initiative which will be adopted by all Arabs in the forthcoming summit," set for Cairo on March 1, although Iraq has asked for it to be held after March 14. "They must promote this initiative as a peaceful solution to the crisis," Sheikh Mohammad said. "If they do this faithfully and put the interests of the nation first and forget their personal interests for a while they will be able to avert war." But he added: "It is unfortunate to see Arabs lacking a unified perspective and stance while the world is divided between war and peace. Sheikh Mohammad also urged Iraq to "fully cooperate with international (weapons) inspectors and completely abide by UN Resolution 1441," which offers Baghdad a last chance to disarm or face serious consequences. "Time is very short," he warned.

Poll indicates most Swedes against attacking Iraq

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Most Swedes are opposed to military action against Iraq, according to a poll published Monday. The survey of 1,003 people by polling institute Temo published in Sydsvenska Dagbladet showed 39 per cent of those interviewed wanted the Swedish government to push for a solution without military force, while 40 per cent favoured giving UN weapons inspectors more time. Four per cent said military action against Saddam Hussein should be embraced. Fourteen per cent said Sweden, a Scandinavian country of 8.9 million, should remain neutral if there is fighting. Sweden has not been involved in a war in nearly 200 years. The remaining three per cent had no opinion. The poll was conducted Feb. 17-20 and had a margin of error of nearly three per cent, Temo spokesman Niclas Kaellebring told the Associated Press. Sweden's government has said it would support military action against Iraq only if it was authorised by the United Nations.

Bahrain's PM due in Philippines for five-day visit

MANILA (AFP) — Bahrain's Prime Minister Khalifa Al Khalifa was due in the Philippines Tuesday to open a five-day official visit, the foreign office said Monday. Khalifa is to meet President Gloria Arroyo, who is expected to seek Bahrain's assistance in protecting some 30,000 Filipinos there in case of a US war on Iraq, it said. Bahrain has been identified by the foreign ministry here as among the "most critical countries" for the legions of Filipino labourers working in the Middle East owing to its proximity to Iraq, officials have said. Arroyo is currently in Malaysia, attending a summit of the 116-member nations of the Non-Aligned Movement.

UN decision on new resolution wanted in two weeks — Straw

BRUSSELS (AFP) — A new UN resolution is to be proposed early this week and Britain wants the Security Council to decide on it within about two weeks, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said on Monday. "We'll be allowing a good period of up to two weeks, maybe a little more before we ask for a decision," Straw told reporters, on arrival for a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. The new resolution would be tabled "early this week... because we want an international consensus and we want the cooperation of Iraq fully and completely to comply in substance as well as process," he said. The new resolution is expected to be presented notably by the United States and Britain, although Spain could also help draw up the text. France is leading opposition to a new resolution, which could be seen as paving the way for war on Iraq. "A new resolution is neither useful nor necessary. The use of force can only be the last resort," said French President Jacques Chirac's spokeswoman Catherine Colonna Monday.