Japanese FM to start visit to the Middle East

Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura will start a tour next Tuesday including Britain and the Middle East within the framework of Japan's endeavors to give the Middle East peace process a push forward.

In statements to reporters a source at the Japanese Foreign Ministry said this tour will take one week and will include Britain, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, the Palestinian self-rule territories and Israel.

The source added that Komura will announce to Palestinian President Yasser Arafat financial aid totaling US $200 million over the next two years. He will also ask Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to abide by the implementation of the Wye River agreement signed with the Palestinian government, the source added.

The source continued that the Japanese foreign minister will discuss during his visit the US-British attacks on Iraq during December.