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Japan is closely watching whether the Iraq war leads to eliminating biological and chemical weapons now that it is said to be nearly over, Kyodo News reported Tuesday.
Japan's Senior Vice Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi was quoted as saying that the Japanese government will continue to closely watch moves to eliminate weapons of mass destruction as a very important issue.
According to Kyodo, Motegi's words were referring to news reports saying US troops have found what may be chemical weapons in Iraq.
But Motegi followed US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in calling for verification, the report said. Rumsfeld said Monday in Washington that extensive tests are necessary before any conclusions can be drawn.
"We think that during or after the military action to get rid of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, the discovery and elimination of weapons of mass destruction will proceed," Motegi said.
"There are various reports flying about, but a firm verification is necessary," he said.
(Xinhua News Agency April 8, 2003)
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