- Title: JAPAN: U.S. urges even stronger military alliance with Japan
- Date: 11th December 2010
- Summary: SAITAMA, JAPAN (FILE) (REUTERS) JAPANESE MILITARY VEHICLES ON PARADE JAPANESE SOLIDER SALUTING FROM VEHICLES TANKS DURING PARADE KADENA, JAPAN (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (FILE) (REUTERS) US F22 FIGHTER JET TAXIING US F22 TAKING OFF TWO US F16 FIGHTER JETS TAXIING ON RUNWAY FIRE TRUCK F16 TAKING OFF
- Embargoed: 26th December 2010 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Japan, Japan
- Country: Japan
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA1KEAWLQRZF54FX292OO0YHSA6
- Story Text: The United States' top military official said on Thursday (December 9) Tokyo, Seoul and Washington must build an even stronger alliance in the face of North Korean aggression.
Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, met with Japanese Defence Minister Toshimi Kitazawa in Tokyo where the two agreed to stage more joint military drills.
"This is a very important time. Our alliance is so critical and so good, and so, we are able to spend some time with you to discuss the challenging issues that we face actually right now because of recent events in particular in the Korean Peninsula, it's a great opportunity," Mullen told Kitazawa.
Mullen said the danger from North Korea is rising and must be stopped, but that any reaction to North Korea must be proportional and not escalate conflict.
"These provocations continue in seemingly at a more frequent interval, that the danger is going up and that steps must be taken to insure that they stop. The priority, certainly the preference, strong preference is that this be done peacefully that we don't get into a situation that escalates and leaders and countries step forward to ensure that doesn't happen," said Mullen during a news conference held at the US embassy.
Military exercises between the United States and Japan are taking place from Dec. 3-10, with the participation of some 44,500 personnel.
The exercises are a regular occurrence, but this year come amid heightened tensions in the region after North Korea attacked a South Korean island and Seoul promised retaliation against any further attacks.
More drills will irritate China, which says they are threatening and bring instability to the region.
Mullen said Yellow Sea is free waters where the U.S. military has operated and will continue to do so.
"Globally, we are free to operate in international waters and we did that and we continue to do that, but also as a part of that, certainly understanding China's concerns," he said.
Deputy Secretary of State Jim Steinberg will lead a U.S. delegation to China next week to try to persuade Beijing to put more pressure on Pyongyang despite Chinese fears that this may destabilize North Korea, a U.S. official said.
Mullen said the U.S. hopes to create sustainable military ties with China.
"I would hope that we can sustain that military to military relationship as opposed to what has been, which has been an on-and-off over the years, which just doesn't do either one of us very, any good," he said.
Washington, Seoul and Tokyo have been lukewarm toward Beijing's proposal for emergency talks between the six regional powers, worried that they could be seen as rewarding Pyongyang for its deadly attack on a South Korean island two weeks ago.
North Korea released a report on Thursday defending last month's deadly attack on a South Korean island, accusing Seoul and Washington of "persistently escalating tension" in disputed seas off its west coast.
Mullen's trip to Japan and South Korea follows talks in Washington on Monday (December 6) between Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her Japanese and South Korean counterparts. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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