Japanese leader seeks to arrange Clinton meeting

[unhappycamper]

Japanese leader seeks to arrange Clinton meeting
Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Friday, January 9, 2010

Japan said it is hoping to arrange a meeting very soon with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to discuss the looming impasse over shifting U.S. military personnel on Okinawa.

"I’d like a foreign ministers’ meeting held as early as possible," Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said Thursday.

Japan’s foreign minister is planning a trip to the United States next week, which could coincide with Clinton’s scheduled Jan. 12 stop in Hawaii, according to Japanese media reports and the U.S. State Department.

Ministry officials would not confirm Thursday whether they were seeking a meeting between Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Clinton next week.

Clinton will tour the Pacific Jan. 11-19, making visits to Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Australia, according to the State Department.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=67092