Nixon asks Tanaka to meet him

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32977, 25 July 1972, Page 13

Nixon asks Tanaka to meet him

GN.Z. PA. -Reuter—Copyright)

TOKYO, July 24.

American concern over Japan’s recent flurry of initiatives towards establishing relations with China is believed behind today’s announcement of a summit meeting between President Nixon and the Japanese Prime Minister (Mr Kakuei Tanaka). The announcement, made simultaneously in Washington and Tokyo, said that Mr Tanaka had accepted the President’s invitation to meet for two days in Hawaii from August 31.

Government sources said the two men would exchange views to reach an understanding on the China issue.

Observers considered the sudden United States move was connected with reported plans for Mr Tanaka to visit Peking before the end of this year. There was considerable speculation that having met President Nixon, the Japanese Prime Minister would advance the date of his trip. He has already established a special council within his ruling Liberal Democratic Party to obtain a consensus of support from both proChina and pro-Taiwan members for his new policy. Political commentators said that the main topic at the

summit meeting would be i Taiwan’s position in this j sudden Japanese move to- . wards rapprochement with | China.

Mr Tanaka repeated again today his position that he “could understand” the three principles set out by Chinese Prime Minister (Chou En-lai) for normal relations.

These are that the People’s ■ Republic is the only legitimate government of China, (Taiwan is an inalienable part (of China and the 1952 Japani Taiwan peace treaty should |be scrapped. It is a paradox that Presi- : dent Nixon helped launch the | new Japanese Government ■policy by visiting Peking last February, and has now (found himself overtaken.

Events have moved with almost bewildering speed

since Mr Tanaka was elected Prime Minister on July 5. Chou has already issued a virtual invitation to his Japanese counterpart by saying that Mr Tanaka is most welcome to visit Peking. November had been considered the most likely time. But observers placed great significance on the timing of the Hawaii summit meeting and the fact that the L.D.P. council discussing China policy wants to present its recommendations to the Prime Minister by September 10 at the latest. The Chinese refused to deal with Mr Tanaka’s predecessor, Mr Eisaku Sato, because of his staunch proAmerican and pro-Taiwan policies. Under his leadership Japan also joined moves to block Chinese entry to the United Nations.

But the Japanese leader’s image was badly dented last year when President Nixon announced plans to visit China without consulting Japan in advance.

In his final montns in office Mr Sato made attempts to be friendly towards Peking, but was rebuffed. Last Saturday the Foreign Minister (Mr Masayoshi Ohira) made the first Govern-ment-level contact with China in hour-long talks with a visiting top official and the Chinese trade representative in Tokyo.

A top-level delegation from the China-Japan Friendship Association, with Chou’s approval, is also expected in Tokyo shortly to pav e the way for Mr Tanaka’s Peking visit.

In another gqod-will gesture, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has decided not to tax the Chinese trade office here, giving it the same treatment applied to diplomatic missions.