Iraq PM seeks Japan support for reconstruction

Tokyo, Apr 9: Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki sought Japan's support for his country today, as Iraqis back home gathered in the city of Najaf for a big anti-US protest on the fourth anniversary of Baghdad's fall.

Maliki, who was to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe later in the day, told Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma that Iraq hoped to see Japanese firms return to the country soon, a Japanese official told reporters.

''We hope the security situation becomes stable quickly so that both Japan's government and businesses will be able to make more contributions,'' the official quoted Kyuma as replying.

Baghdad was under curfew today and thousands of marching Iraqis, mostly men and young boys, gathered in the southern Shi'ite holy city of Najaf, chanting ''No, no to the occupation, no, no to America.'' Maliki thanked Japan, a staunch backer of the US-led war in Iraq, for its efforts to help rebuild the country. Tokyo sent some 600 ground troops on a humanitarian and reconstruction mission and has provided financial aid and debt relief.

Abe was expected to urge Maliki to make efforts towards national reconciliation and stabilising the security situation in Iraq, racked by sectarian violence.

Iraq, which sits on the world's third-largest proven crude oil reserves, is struggling to rebuild its shattered economy after four years of war following the US-led invasion in 2003.

Japan depends on the Middle East for nearly all its crude oil.

Maliki and Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani, in a separate meeting with Japanese Trade Minister Akira Amari, said Iraq was keen for Japanese investments in the electricity sector, a Japanese trade ministry official told reporters.

Yen loans

Japan has already pledged to provide more than 1.5 billion dollars in grant aid and up to 3.5 billion dollars in yen loans.

Of the loans, Tokyo has allocated 1.6 billion dollars to eight projects.

Ahead of the leaders' meeting today, the two countries signed a contract for Japan to extend 102.8 billion yen for four projects as part of the total loan aid.

Abe also plans to tell Maliki that Tokyo is ready to provide Iraq with another 57.7 billion yen in loans, part of the overall pledge, to help finance the restoration of water and sewage, power supply and other facilities, Kyodo said.

Japan withdrew its troops from Iraq last year, but about 200 air force personnel have remained in Kuwait, from where they airlift supplies to the US military in Iraq.

Japan's cabinet last month approved the extension of a law enabling the air force mission for another two years after the current legislation expires in July. The extension is expected to pass in parliament given the ruling coalition's solid majority.

Maliki arrived in Tokyo late yesterday, ending a marathon flight after Iran refused to allow his plane to cross its air space the previous night.

Iraq's US-backed government has often had to tread a delicate path in trying to maintain good relations with both Iran, its neighbour to the east, and the United States.

Reuters