The Palestinian Authority reopened its representative office in Tokyo, thanks to the support of many Japanese, representative Waleed Siam told reporters Wednesday.
Siam expressed his hope to boost relations of cooperation with Japan and appealed for further economic assistance from Tokyo, especially in the education and medical service sectors.
"Japan's financial aid has sharply declined recently, due to a series of clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinians, dropping from approximately $US 40 million a year to $US 2 million-3 million a year.", he said.
"It has become clear that the U.S. is not a neutral mediator because it vetoed a U.N. resolution calling on Israel to retract its decision to expel Palestinian President Yasser Arafat", Siam added, according to KUNA news agency.
"I expect Japan, which we Palestinians consider as a neutral mediator, to play a more active role." (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
