Programs
Competitions
Venues
Access
A la carte
Photo Album
From the Olympics Toword Tomorrow

Shinano Mainichi

Japan to appeal for Olympic truce

With tension rising between the United States and Iraq over U.N. weapons inspection, the Japanese government plans to appeal to both nations to observe an Olympic truce during the Nagano Olympic Winter Games, a top Foreign Ministry official said Thursday.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the government believes such a message from Japan is necessary as host of the Winter Games beginning Saturday.

U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan and U.N. General Assembly President Hennadly Udovenko urged all U.N. members earlier this week to observe an Olympic truce during the Nagano Olympics.

Washington has warned that the U.S. may take military action against Iraq unless it allows U.N. inspectors unfettered access in carrying out the weapons inspection.

On Monday, the United States said it retains the option to conduct air strikes on Iraq during the Nagano Olympics.

(Kyodo News)

No part of the article, photographs, or illustrations presented here may be printed or used without permission.

Copyright 1998 The Shinano Mainichi Shimbun