MINISTER CRITICIZES JAPANESE-U.S. DEFENSE RELATIONSHIP.

In addition to discussing bilateral Russian-Japanese relations (see yesterday’s Monitor), Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov used a trip to Japan this past weekend to admonish Tokyo and Washington anew for their close military ties. In remarks to the press on February 21 and 22, Ivanov said that Moscow was concerned both over a 1997 accord that strengthens and broadens the security alliance between the United States and Japan, and over U.S.-Japanese proposals to create a regional missile defense system in Asia.

On the first count, Ivanov warned that Moscow would react negatively if it felt itself to be included in the territory covered by the new U.S.-Japanese pact. He also repeated an earlier call by Moscow for greater transparency in the U.S.-Japanese military relationship and for the two countries to operate in a fashion that will not threaten third countries or upset the existing balance of forces in the region. With regard to missile defense, Ivanov warned that the Japanese-U.S. proposals were dangerous because they threatened the 1972 ABM treaty. Any violation of that treaty, Ivanov said, would also upset stability in the region (Russian agencies, February 21-22).

MOSCOW LOOKS TO ASSUAGE FAR EASTERNERS OVER KURIL ISLANDS TALKS.