King Abdullah II of Jordan arrived on Sunday in Japan for a three-day visit to lobby for aid. He will also watch the final match of World Cup 2002.
During his last visit to Tokyo in 1999, Abdullah left with a three-year, $400 million aid package. A Japanese Foreign Ministry official said Sunday another package is expected to figure into this trip's talks, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
On Monday, King Abdullah is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi.
He is expected to ask Tokyo, one of Amman's main donors, to write off a debt of 170 billion yen ($1.4 billion) in official development loans and increase aid grants to Jordan.
King Abdullah's visit to Japan is his second since he ascended to the throne in February 1999. The King’s talks with Japanese officials will also deal with the situation in the Palestinian territories and efforts to re-launch the peace process, the Japanese Foreign Ministry official said.
(Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
