Russia rules out peace pact but Japan remainas optimistic
REUTERS

TOKYO, FEBRUARY 9: Russia's foreign minister has dashed Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's hopes that the neighbours would sign a peace treaty this year ending an historical quirk that has left Russia and Japan technically at war for 55 years.

Due in Tokyo later this week, Igor Ivanov said it was highly unlikely a peace treaty would be signed this year despite previous agreements.

``To believe this is possible within a set period of time is a fantasy,'' Kyodo News Agency quoted him as saying on the eve of a visit to Japan delayed after former Russian president Boris Yeltsin resigned last month and was replaced by Vladimir Putin.

Neither side is expected to give way on the fate of four small islands to the north of Japan seized by the Soviets in the waning days of the war. Japan has made their return a prerequisite for any peace treaty.

But Japan steadfastly maintains the treaty will be signed this year as pledged by the two nations in 1997.

``On the basis of the agreement, the two sideshave to make every possible effort in order to conclude a peace treaty by the end of this year,'' said Akitaka Saiki, an Obuchi spokesman.

``We have not given up the hope of a treaty being concluded within the year.''

A Japanese foreign ministry official said the treaty will be discussed when Ivanov and his Japanese counterpart Yohei Kono meet on Friday as one part of talks on the bilateral relationship.

Analysts, though, were pessimistic of a breakthrough.

``Frankly, the issue is pretty low priority for Russia right now,'' said political commentator Hideaki Kase. ``After all, aside from not having a treaty there aren't any major problems between them and Japan right now.''

``It's like the situation of a common-law couple that's been living together for years without legally formalising their relationship and are tired of discussing it all.''

Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.