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UN cheif begins Asian tour amid strained ties
Seoul, (AFP) May 14, 2006 UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Sunday arrived in South Korea on the first leg of a five-nation Asian tour that will also take him to Japan, China, Thailand and Vietnam, amid strained ties between Tokyo and its key neighbors. Annan's trip to Asia came as the UN chief was seeking support from the region for reforms at the world body and voicing hope that Asia could reconcile as Europe did after World War II. Accompanied by his wife, Annan smiled and waved to journalists on his arrival at Incheon Airport, but made no comments before heading to his hotel in downtown Seoul. The top UN diplomat, who steps down after his second five-year term on December 31, wants to see progress in UN reforms, but 191 UN members were still divided over how to reshape the organization. Asia has its own divisions over its bitter past, with Japan stuck in a diplomatic row with its neighbors South Korea and China. Beijing and Seoul are outraged by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's annual visits to the Yasukuni shrine, which honors war dead including war criminals, and by Tokyo's approval of nationalist history books. Ahead of his Asian tour, Annan last week called on Japan and its neighbors to improve relations, according to Japan's Kyodo news agency. Annan hailed celebrations in Moscow last year marking the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, which brought together leaders of Germany and its former foes. Annan was quoted as saying he hoped "a day will come when I would attend a similar event" in Asia. Chinese, Japanese and South Korean leaders attended the Moscow ceremony but no event like it took place in Asia. Expansion of the 15-nation UN Security Council was one of several key reforms of the world body that Annan had hoped to push through. China, the only Asian nation with veto power on the council, last year blocked Japan's bid for a permanent seat, citing the history dispute. South Korea has also publicly opposed Japan's bid. During his three-day stay in Seoul, Annan will have talks with Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon Monday and meet President Roh Moo-Hyun Tuesday with the focus on UN reforms and a standoff over North Korea's nuclear weapons. Seoul officials privately hope that Annan's visit to South Korea could boost the chances that Ban, one of several candidates to replace Annan as UN secretary general, becomes head of the world body. Annan, a Ghanaian, has said that an Asian candidate could replace him according to the geographical rotation rule. On Tuesday, Annan will leave for Tokyo. Japan, the second biggest contributor to the UN budget after the United States, said it plans to discuss UN reform with Annan during his visit to the country. China's foreign ministry said Annan would visit Beijing from May 19 to 23. He would meet President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan to discuss issues of common concern, as well as China's cooperation with the world body. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links China News from SinoDaily.com
Global economy, led by China, shrugs off soaring commodity prices
London, (AFP) May 14, 2006 The prices of commodities such as oil, copper, aluminium, platinum and sugar are smashing records -- and will head higher owing to fierce demand from economic powerhouses India and China, analysts say. |
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