Aso says Japan to pledge up to $1 bil. to Pakistan at donors meeting+

TOKYO, April 16 Kyodo - Prime Minister Taro Aso said Thursday he told visiting Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari that Japan will offer up to $1 billion to Pakistan at a donors conference Friday in Tokyo to support the country's efforts to combat terrorism
and push ahead with economic reform.

''It is important that President Zardari will express at tomorrow's meeting the
firm resolve of the Pakistani government to carry out economic reform and
counterterrorism measures,'' Aso told a joint press conference following their
talks at the premier's office in Tokyo.
Tokyo will announce Friday at the Pakistan Donors Conference that the
government will provide up to $1 billion to the Southwest Asian country in
order to assist its ''endeavors,'' Aso said.
According to government sources, Japan is expected to pledge the amount over
two years at the donors conference for Pakistan, at which around 40 countries
and international organizations are expected to announce a total of around $4
billion, including Japan's envisaged contribution.
Aso did not elaborate on the specific projects to which the money will be
directed, according to a Japanese government official.
In their talks, Aso also told Zardari that the stable democratic development of
Pakistan ''is important for the peace and stability of the international
community, as well as the stability and prosperity of Southwest Asia and it is
critically important for Afghanistan, which borders Pakistan.''
In response, Zardari, the widower of assassinated former Pakistani Prime
Minister Benazir Bhutto, expressed gratitude for Tokyo's efforts.
''Japan is an important partner in the world and Japan shows its responsibility
by being there to support Pakistan and fight against terrorism. We appreciate
Japan's position,'' Zardari said.
''Japan is also important as a development partner in the future for Pakistan's
industrialization,'' he added.
Earlier in the day, Zardari, who assumed office last September, met Japanese
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai and called for more
investment in Pakistan by Japanese companies.
Zardari said Pakistan is planning to establish a special economic zone in
Karachi and offer favorable treatment to Japanese firms operating in the area,
the Japanese official said. The president also said he is considering sending a
business delegation to Japan next month to request more investment.
Among other issues, Aso was quoted as telling Zardari that international
efforts toward reinforcing the nonproliferation regime have recently gained
momentum, as exemplified by U.S. President Barack Obama's recent speech in
Prague in which the president said he would take the lead in achieving a world
free of nuclear weapons.
Aso pressed Zardari to ratify the Nonproliferation Treaty and the Comprehensive
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, while the Pakistani president responded that the
country is making strenuous efforts to that end, according to the official.
On Thursday, Aso also held separate talks with Iranian Foreign Minister
Manouchehr Mottaki at the premier's office during which Mottaki told Aso that
the countries can work together in supporting Pakistan as well as Afghanistan,
which both border Iran, according to the Foreign Ministry.
The premier replied to Mottaki that it is most important for Iran to play an
active role in assisting these countries as it aims to gain the trust of the
international community, the ministry said.
On relations between Iran and the United States, Aso suggested that Iran should
not miss the current opportunity and should make active efforts to improve the
two countries' bilateral ties, noting that U.S. President Obama has recently
been taking a forward-looking stance toward Iran.
Mottaki said he sincerely appreciates Japan's position, calling the country a
friend, and that he has been listening with respect to recent remarks made by
the Obama administration.
==Kyodo