Japan promises E. Timor more support in peace-building+

TOKYO, March 9 Kyodo -
Japan assured East Timorese Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao on Monday to continue
to provide support in its peace-building and nation-building, such as in police
training and beginning in 2010 assistance in defense exchanges.

In response to Gusmao's request for the provision of low-interest loans given
the urgent need of improving basic infrastructure for development, Prime
Minister Taro Aso expressed his willingness to dispatch a mission to survey the
possibility of such an arrangement, the leaders said in a joint statement after
the talks.
Aso also said Japan would consider possible assistance such as providing
antiviral medicines against pandemic influenza for stockpile in East Timor, the
statement said.
In separate talks earlier on Monday, Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone touched
on the one-year extension of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in East Timor
through February 2010 and said, ''We would like to continue working with East
Timor to move the U.N. Security Council discussions forward, especially to
ensure the smooth handover of authority from the UNMIT (U.N. Integrated Mission
in Timor-Leste) to the national police.''
Nakasone noted that Japan will continue to accept East Timorese police for
training at the National Police Academy, including five this year, and was
quoted by Japanese officials as saying, ''We understand that stability and
development in East Timor is very important for the stability and peace in the
Asia Pacific region.''
To help improve East Timor's capacity building in national security, Prime
Minister Aso also indicated that Japan is ready to accept East Timorese
officials to study at the National Defense Academy of Japan from fiscal 2010.
On energy, Aso and Gasmao said they shared the view that East Timor, as a
producer of oil and natural gas, has contributed to Japan's energy security and
has an important potential in the future.
They also expressed determination toward establishing an effective post-2012
emissions cut framework in which all major economies will participate in a
responsible manner to fight climate change.
On East Timor's goal for accession to the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations by 2012, Aso expressed his support for a smooth admission to that end.
At the talks, Aso also extended a formal invitation for East Timorese President
Jose Ramos-Horta to visit Japan at an early date.
Earlier on Monday, Gusmao, who doubles as minister for defesne and security,
met separately with Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada.
Gusmao arrived in Japan on Sunday for a four-day visit.
==Kyodo