JAPAN UNENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT G-7 AGREEMENT?

Tokyo has reportedly reacted with caution to a Russian-U.S. agreement — stipulating a larger G-7 role for Russia — concluded during the summit talks in Helsinki on March 21. (See Perspective item below) A Japanese Foreign Ministry source said that Tokyo does not "see any need to change the current formula," by which Moscow has been included in G-7 talks on political issues but excluded from economic discussions on development, international finance, and trade. (Kyodo, March 22; Xinhua, March 23)

Impasse in Russian-Syrian Arms Talks.