From: cmr@world.std.com (Charles M Richmond)
Subject: Buying Chile?
Organization: Integrated International Systems Corp. One Longfellow Place, Suite 3309, Boston, Ma.
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 11:27:59 GMT


Am I being too cynical if I think after reading the article, that Japan
is paying for passage round the Horn for the plutonium and for support
for a Security Council seat?


	TOKYO (UPI) -- Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa offered Chile $193
million in official development assistance Wednesday during a meeting
with President Patricio Aylwin, the first aid Japan has offered the
country in 20 years.
	The resumption demonstrates Tokyo's support for Aylwin's efforts to
promote democracy in his homeland, said Foreign Ministry officials.
	Aylwin arrived in Japan Tuesday for a five-day visit to strengthen
commercial, political and cultural ties with the world's second largest
economy. It is the first visit by a Chilean president to the country.
	Aylwin was scheduled to receive an honorary doctor of law degree from
Waseda University Thursday and meet with the emperor Friday.
	Tokyo suspended yen loans to Chile while the military held power in
the country from 1973 to 1990.
	During a meeting at the Akasaka state guesthouse, Miyazawa lauded
Chile's progress in implementing economic and political reforms. He
noted Chile is one of the few countries with which Japan maintains a
trade deficit.
	Of the renewed aid total, $104 million will be used on an irrigation
works project, $51 million on railroad repairs and $44 million on sewage
and water supply systems.
	Miyazawa also offered $322,000 for the Philharmonic Orchestra of
Santiago to purchase musical instruments.
	Alywin and Miyazawa agreed to form a committee to promote cooperation
in the areas of trade and culture between Japan, Chile and other
countries in South America, officials said.
	Aylwin said Chile supports a permanent seat for Japan on the U.N.
Security Council, terming the bid ``quite reasonable'' given Japan's
political role in the world. He then requested Japan's backing for
Chile's membership in the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
forum, a 15-member consultative group. Miyazawa said Japan would consult
with the other countries on the issue of expanding APEC membership.
	Officials said Foreign Minister Michio Watanabe, who also attended
the talks, asked for assurances that the North American Free Trade
Agreement formed by the United States, Canada and Mexico will not become
a protectionist trade bloc. Chile, which has a free trade pact with
Mexico, is reported to be the next country in line to join the grouping.
	Chilean Foreign Minister Enrique Silva Cimma replied that Chile is
determined to see that free and open trade between countries prevails.
	Officials said Aylwin did not express concern over the route of the
Akatsuki Maru, a Japanese freighter carrying one ton of plutonium from
France to be used in fast-breeder reactors in Japan.
	He had earlier said the shipment poses an environmental danger to his
country in the event of an accident while sailing around Cape Horn, the
southern tip of South America, to the Pacific Ocean.

-- 
*****************************************************************************
*  Charles Richmond 	Integrated International Systems Corporation        *
*  cmr@world.std.com	(Temporary) cmr@koneko.shr.dec.com		    *
*  Specializing in UNIX, X, Image Processing, and Communications.           *
Newsgroups: soc.culture.japan