CNN - Clinton, Hashimoto sign security pact

Clinton, Hashimoto sign security pact

Japan mulls broader military role

April 17, 1996
Web posted at: 9:00 a.m. EDT (1300 GMT)

TOKYO (CNN) -- President Clinton and Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto signed a joint security declaration Wednesday, despite growing anxieties over the U.S. military presence in the region.

In the declaration, Japan for the first time formally committed itself to considering a military role outside its borders.

The two leaders signed documents reaffirming the importance of defense cooperation and said Japan would continue to provide financial and other support for U.S. troops -- an estimated $25 billion over the next five years.

"The relationship between the United States and Japan is better and stronger than ever," Clinton said at a news conference with Hashimoto at his side. (349K AIFF sound or 349K WAV sound)

Japan's constitution limits its military role abroad to guard against a resurgence of World War II-style militarism. However, Japan now will consider cooperating more directly with defense allies during crises.

Also, Clinton pledged to keep 100,000 American troops in the Far East -- including 47,000 in Japan. The U.S. military presence is necessary to preserve peace and uphold U.S. interests, he said.

Hashimoto strongly welcomed the commitment, calling American soldiers a "precious" resource for Asia. Clinton added that the United States and Japan have a "special responsibility to lead" and that U.S.-Japan trade relations are "on the right track." (330K AIFF sound or 330K WAV sound)

Japanese protest U.S. presence

As the two leaders met, about 4,500 protesters gathered across town in a Tokyo park, shouting anti-American slogans and waving effigies. (295K QuickTime movie) One cardboard effigy of Clinton read, "Give me more land, more people, more money!"

One woman at the rally told CNN, "I want President Clinton to get rid of all the U.S. bases in Japan."

Landowners on Okinawa, meanwhile, tried to deliver a letter to the U.S. Embassy to denounce the heavy American military presence on the Japanese island. However, security guards and police turned them away. (294K QuickTime movie)

On Monday, U.S. officials announced a further scaling back of American military bases in Japan, promising to return 12,000 acres to Okinawans. Some Okinawans reacted angrily to the news because some bases will grow due to redistribution of troops. The number of troops will stay about the same.

At Wednesday's news conference, Clinton directly addressed concerns over the U.S. military role in the region.

"We seek no advantage. We seek to dominate no country," the president said.

"I believe that our presence is needed here as long as people have any fear at all that some countries might seek to dominate others."

Hashimoto said he and Clinton had worked to "reduce the burden on the Okinawan people."

Clinton greets troops

After the news conference, Clinton addressed crew members aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence at Yokosuka U.S. Naval Base near Tokyo.

"With you here, Asia is more secure, and so is America," Clinton told the sailors as he thanked them for monitoring China's war games and missile firings near Taiwan last month.

"Without firing a single shot, you reassured nations all around the Pacific . . . and gave the world another example of America's power and America's character," he said.

Clinton is in Japan for a three-day diplomatic trip and will leave for Russia Thursday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Related stories:

President Clinton aboard the USS Independence: Photo Gallery
U.S. to keep 100,000 troops in Far East - April 16, 1996
U. S. returns more land to Okinawa - April 16, 1996

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Clinton, Hashimoto sign security pact

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