UNITED BENETTON of COLORS

28 March, 2007 Sorry's not enough

WASHINGTON - Washington yesterday urged Tokyo to take responsibility for its role in sex slavery during World War II, after Japan's Premier Shinzo Abe apologized again for prior comments about the so-called "comfort women."
"We appreciate that the apology was made.It is a step forward,"said Mr Tom Casey,the US State Department's deputy spokesman."But I think this is a very difficult issue and we certainly would want to see the Japanese continue to address this and to deal with it in a forthright and responsible manner that acknowledges the gravity of the crimes that were committed."
Earlier this month,Mr Abe triggered an uproar when he said that there was no evidence Japan directly coerced comfort women.He later elaborated by saying he was talking of coercion in the "strict" sense, such as kidnapping women.But when questioned in Parliament by a leftist lawmaker on whether he was apologizing,Mr Abe said he was.
"I am apologizing now as a Prime Minister,"he said.Observers say his apology still does not address the Japanese government's role in the issue but see this as a change of stance as Mr Abe has long maintained that there was no need for a fresh statement.The issue of Japan's wartime aggression is surfacing at a time when domestic support for Mr Abe's government is plummeting.
Most analysts,however,agree that the declining level of support has less to do with the wartime issue than with the numerous scandals and gaffes committed by his aides.

Posted by THE SAINT :: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 :: ---------------oOo---------------