Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Miki said here today that Japan supports the U.S. initiatives in the Middle East and urged a ban on landing facilities everywhere in the world as an antidote to combat airplane hijackers. Addressing the National Press Club following two days of meetings with President Ford and his top advisors, Miki said in his prepared remarks that the second essential in the building of world peace is “the conciliation of regional and local conflicts which endanger world stability and peace.”
He added: “The Arab-Israeli confrontation is the most perilous of these flash points. In this tense situation, my government is grateful for–and sincerely supports–the delicate and imaginative diplomatic efforts of your President and Secretary of State in attempting to mediate a solution to this complex problem.” Miki listed “the steadfast pursuit of detente, or the easing of superpower tensions” coupled with “persistent efforts to expand mutually beneficial cooperation” as the first essential for peace.
Asked for the Japanese government’s reasons in releasing five Japanese prisoners in Tokyo demanded by terrorists who took 50 persons as hostages in Kuala Lumpur, Miki said that the first consideration was “sanctity of human life” and then he added his hope that hijackers will be refused landing anywhere in the world. “This is the best means to prevent such lawless acts from happening again and again.” Miki said through an interpreter.
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