Japan, Tanzania agree to cooperate on stability in Kenya

Jan 5, 2008

DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 5 (AP) - (Kyodo)—Japanese and Tanzanian foreign ministers agreed in talks here Saturday to work together with the international community to help Kenya to start a process of national reconciliation and to regain stability following recent deadly post-election violence.
Visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura explained Japan's recent decision to provide $200,000 in aid for Kenyan refugees through the International Committee of the Red Cross, Japanese officials said.
Tanzanian Foreign and International Cooperation Minister Bernard Kamillius Membe told Komura that his country has urged Kenya's reelected President Mwai Kibaki and opposition challenger Raila Odinga to resolve the dispute through dialogue, the officials said.
Komura and Membe reached an official agreement for Japan to provide grant aid of 1.34 billion yen to Tanzania for food and poverty reduction, the officials said.
Membe expressed his strong support for Japan's bid to become a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, they said.