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Japan offers to dismantle war remnants in China

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE, AUG. 14. Japan has expressed regret over the poison gas leak caused in an accident traced to some chemical weapons left behind in China by the Japanese military at the end of World War II.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry in a statement said, "An investigation into the poison gas accident that occurred in Qiqihar city, Heilongjiang Province, China, on August 4 has revealed that it was caused by the abandoned chemical weapons of the former Japanese Army''.

Affirming that the accident was "extremely regrettable'', Japan offered to "cooperate closely with the Chinese side'' in order to "prevent such damage in the future''. Towards this end, Japan "intends to deal with (the) dangerous abandoned chemical weapons as soon as possible''. A pledge was also made about Japan's intention to "properly dispose of'' the abandoned chemical weapons in terms of Tokyo's obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Expressing "heartfelt sympathy'' to the victims of the tragedy, involving the hospitalisation of over 35 persons, and maintaining that the Japanese Government felt "strong compassion'' for them, the Foreign Ministry said that it "would respond sincerely to the incident''.

The accident has marred the ongoing celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship. The Chinese Foreign Minister, Li Zhaoxing, who called on his Japanese counterpart, Yoriko Kawaguchi, in Tokyo on Monday in connection with the anniversary, told her that the accident had not only caused severe injuries but also hurt the health, safety and feelings of the Chinese people.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Ms. Kawaguchi offered to cooperate with Beijing and handle the issue appropriately.

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