Alongside Japanese PM, Says Allies Would Apply Pressure
By Daniela Deane
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, June 29, 2006
2:10 PM
President Bush warned North Korea today that it was "unacceptable" to test-fire a new long-range missile and repeated concerns about Pyongyang's nuclear plans.
"There's been no briefings as to what's on top of the missile," Bush said in a joint White House news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. "They haven't told anybody where the missile's going."
"We both agreed that it's very important for us to remain united in sending a clear message to the North Korean leader that, first of all, launching a missile is unacceptable," he said.
Bush said Pyongyang had an "obligation" to fully brief other nations about their nuclear plans, saying it was the "reasonable thing" to do.
Asked by a Japanese reporter what Japan and the United States might do in response to such a missile launch, Koizumi said the two allies would apply various forms of "specific pressure." He did not elaborate.
The United States has been particularly appreciative of Japan's increasing assertiveness under Koizumi. The Japanese government has taken a hard line against North Korea, pushing forward with a joint missile-defense shield with the United States and threatening tough sanctions should Pyongyang test-launch a new intercontinental ballistic missile.
"The Japanese cannot afford to be held hostage to rockets," Bush said at the news conference. "Neither can the United States or anybody else who loves freedom."
Bush praised Japan's role in the Iraq war. He said Japanese forces did a "really good job" there and that was why they were able to now be making plans to leave the embattled country.
Koizumi pushed the boundaries of Japan's pacifist constitution by dispatching the Ground Self-Defense Forces to Iraq for a noncombat mission. Although Tokyo's largest military-related effort since 1945 is set to wind down operations soon, the prime minister vowed last week to extend and expand Japan's military transport flights between Kuwait and Iraq for the U.S.-led forces.
Bush thanked Koizumi for opening Japan's market to U.S. beef, a prickly trade dispute that had created tension in the otherwise strong personal relationship between the two leaders. Japan agreed last week to lift its ban on U.S. beef experts, which had been imposed because of concerns about mad-cow disease.
"I think the Japanese people are going to like the taste of U.S. beef," Bush said of the agreement that gives the U.S. access to a lucrative market. "As a matter of fact, I had a good slice of U.S. beef last night and you told me you did as well. And you look like you're feeling pretty good.
"Very good," Koizumi replied.
Bush said he would accompany Koizumi tomorrow on a private tour of Graceland, Elvis Presley's Memphis estate, because the Japanese leader "loves Elvis."
"I couldn't think of a better way to honor my friend and it also sends a signal about how close our relationship is," Bush said. He said he and his wife Laura had given Koizumi a juke-box as a gift.
"Officially he's here to see the president, but I know the highlight of his visit will be paying his respects to the king," Bush had said when greeting the prime minister on his arrival at the White House.
In his closing comments at the press conference, Koizumi brought up an Elvis song and said in English, a language he does not speak, "Thank you very much, American people, for 'Love me Tender" ".
Staff writer Anthony Faiola contributed to this report.
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