Japan Marking Time On A-Subs

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30094, 30 March 1963, Page 11

Japan Marking Time On A-Subs

(N Z..°.A-Reuter—Copyright} WASHINGTON, March 29. There is disappointment in Washington today over the slow pace of negotiations to clear the way for visits by United States nuclear-powered submarines to Japanese ports. Usually reliable sources said the delay in completing the arrangements was longer than expected because of Japan's minute examination of every detail of all technical aspects of the question.

Recognition is given to the natural apprehension of Japan, the only nation ever subjected to nuclear attack, about all atomic matters and the sensitive political situation as a result.

However, there was a suggestion in informer 1 quarters that the negotiations were being dragged out interminably and the possibility of submarines calling at Japanese ports looked rather remote.

The Japanese Government agreed in principle last January to a United States request to permit the visits by Nautilus-type vessels so that crews could be given recreation and rest.

The United States denied Soviet charges that the plan was being drawn up to prepare for the introduction of American nuclear weapons into Japan It also gave assurances that none of the submarines involved would carry Polaris missiles during their calk.

Since th-Sn. an extensive ex- ’ change of information has taken place involving United States replies to several] Japanese questionnaires seek-] ing information and assur-l ances about safety measures, compensation in the event of' an accident, and other matters.

The Japanese Foreign Office said on Wednesday it had submitted another questionnaire to Washington, and the Foreign Minister iMr Masayokshi Ohirai told the Diet yeslerda- that it would be difficult to make special arrangements with the United States in connexion with the

proposed visits by submarines. Washington sources said that exhaustive explanations and assurances about safety measures and complete United States responsibility for compensation in the unlikely event of an accident had been met w’ith a new questionnaire on the same problems. The Japanese Government was said to be standing by its agreement in principle. However, the impression current here was that some of the Government agencies, notably those directly concerned with nuclear power, were opposed to it and were frustrating the negotiations by raising problems believed to have been settled satisfactorily.