Koizumi, Blair Complete Talks on DPRK, Iraq

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, July 20, 2003

Koizumi, Blair Complete Talks on DPRK, Iraq

Japanese and British prime ministers held talks Saturday on DPRK's nuclear issue and reconstruction in Iraq as well as bilateral cooperation in many fields.

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Koizumi, Blair Complete Talks on DPRK, Iraq

Japanese and British prime ministers held talks Saturday on DPRK's nuclear issue and reconstruction in Iraq as well as bilateral cooperation in many fields.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi treated his British counterpart Tony Blair in the hot-spring resort of Hakone, Kawagama Prefecture.

Blair expressed his support for Japan's pursuit of multilateraltalks on the nuclear program of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and participation in the post-war reconstruction in Iraq. He said it's of "tremendous importance" for Japan to be involved.

Koizumi responded with his backup to Blair who is facing vehement challenge for the allegedly misused intelligence based onwhich he and US President George W. Bush waged the war against Iraq.

Blair's decision to go to war was "courageous and correct," said Koizumi.

As for the death of David Kelly, a former UN weapons inspector who became involved in the false intelligence case, Blair expressed his "deep sorrow", but noted that there should be no rush in making speculations before the completion of investigation.

The 59-year-old scientist was said to be the source for a BBC report that accused of British officials of hyping intelligence.

The British police found a dead body in a wooded area near Kelly's home Friday and confirmed his death on Saturday.

The two leaders also vowed to strengthen further cooperation invarious fields, mainly in information and communication technologyand environment protection.

Blair will conclude his three-day visit to Japan on Sunday. He will kick off the trip to China the same day following a short stop in South Korea.

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