Africa backs Japan's bid for UNSC seat: AU chief

May 2, 2006
Mainichi Daily News
Original Source: http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/international/news/20060502p2g00m0in003000c.html
 
Alpha Oumar Konare, chairman of the African Union Commission, on Monday stressed Africa's support for Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council.
In a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Konare said all African nations support the Japanese bid.
Koizumi said Japan would be able to play a different role from the five current countries with permanent seats because Japan is a pacifist nation and has no nuclear weapons.
He also said Japan will continue its support for Africa's efforts to resolve its problems such as poverty.
After the meeting, Japan pledged emergency aid worth 18.7 million dollars to the conflict-hit western Sudanese region of Darfur. (Jiji Press)