Shii talks with Palestinian prime minister

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Shii talks with Palestinian prime minister

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on November 24 met with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad at a Tokyo hotel and both expressed views on the need to make efforts to establish a "world without nuclear weapons".

They also exchanged their opinions on issues of peace and the present circumstances in the Middle East.

Shii explained that to peacefully solve Middle East problems, the JCP has argued that Israel should withdraw from the occupied areas, the Palestinian right to national self-determination should be guaranteed, and both sides should acknowledge one another's right to existence and to coexist with each other in a peaceful manner.

Regarding the current climate in the region, Shii stated, "The important point is for the international community to concertedly discourage" Israel from obstructing the efforts to solve the issue.

He appreciated the Palestinian proactive call for the start of negotiations on a treaty banning nuclear weapons. He also welcomed the move towards an international meeting on the creation of a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East.

Shii stated, "Let us work together to establish a Middle East and a world free of nuclear weapons!"

The Palestinian prime minister replied, "We will continue with our efforts to establish a nuclear-free Middle East and to abolish nuclear weapons."

- Akahata, November 25, 2010