Bush calls Japanese leader to petition for help in Iraq

[Barrett808]

9/19/03 - TOKYO — President Bush telephoned Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Friday to personally stump for Tokyo's support in reconstructing Iraq and Afghanistan.

The plea comes amid Japanese debate over whether to send troops to Iraq and whether to chip in with a reported $1 billion in reconstruction funding. Washington is eager to share the burden internationally.

Bush and Koizumi spoke for about 10 minutes, according to Japan's Foreign Ministry. Bush asked Koizumi for Japanese "cooperation" in rebuilding Iraq and Afghanistan, saying it would be of benefit to the entire world, a Foreign Ministry statement said. Koizumi pledged that Tokyo would continue its support.

The statement did not elaborate on whether specific requests or offers for help were made.

Bush also told Koizumi that he looks forward to meeting the prime minister while stopping in Japan on his way to Thailand next month for the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, the Foreign Ministry said. Koizumi reportedly welcomed the visit.

The phone call comes as Washington searches for new international commitments of help in Iraq and Afghanistan. Earlier this week, U.S. Ambassador Howard Baker met with Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and discussed Japan's role in postwar Iraq.

(more)

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/news/91903_APworld_japan.html

[Don_G]

1. I Wonder

How much Iraqi oil Dimbo is offering Japan for helping to bail his sorry ass out of the mess he's made?

:mad:

[kskiska]

2. It's too bad these legitimate world leaders

can't protect themselves from these phone calls from Preznit Junior by registering with "Do Not Call."

[BattyDem]

3. Two sets of rules when asking for help

On the one hand:
The Bushies think France should never forget that we saved them during WWII.

On the other hand:
The Bushies expect Japan to forget that we nuked them during WWII ... twice!

Is it any wonder that no one trusts us anymore?

[Erika]

5. No, We Aren't Trusted Anymore!

Bush was a Don Quixote searching out for windmills. He's a nut that should be impeached!

[pfitz59]

4. What did he call him?

Rove is "turd blossom". Putin is "pooty poot". So what's Junichiro Koizumi? "Junky koi"? "Ichiro..ha ha ha"? "That coy boy"? C'mon... someone's gotta know!

[bpilgrim]

6. the japanese are MASTERS at not saying NO

rummy and condi must be PISSED thinking they had japan way back in 02 :evilgrin:

peace