Japan 'strongly concerned' about fatal clashes in Iran+

TOKYO, June 22 Kyodo -
Japan is ''strongly concerned'' about the fatal clashes taking place between
demonstrators and police in Iran following the disputed presidential election
earlier in the month, Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said Monday.
''A situation that produces casualties should be avoided and our country
strongly calls for a peaceful resolution,'' Nakasone told a press conference,
adding that ''various opinions and speeches should be appropriately respected''
as Iran addresses the situation.
He also said that Iran's handling of the matter should be made ''openly as much
as possible,'' given that international society has been paying attention to
the June 12 election and showed concerns over Iran's move to expel and capture
journalists.
Iran's presidential election, in which Mahmoud Ahmadinejad officially won a
second term, has sparked protests from supporters of defeated candidate Mir
Hossein Mousavi, who alleges irregularities in the election.
Iranian state media reported Sunday that 13 people were killed in Saturday's
clashes in Tehran between security forces and several thousand protestors.
==Kyodo
2009-06-22 22:39:16