Saudis Ask Japan to Boost Aid for Allies

JIDDA, Saudi Arabia —  Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd asked Japanese Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu on Saturday for extra aid for countries that sent troops to defend his kingdom against Iraq, Kaifu’s spokesman said.

“I want you to think of aid to Syria, Morocco, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries that are sending forces here,” the spokesman quoted the king as telling Kaifu.

Kaifu did not reply, but a Japanese Foreign Ministry official said Tokyo would consider the request.

Japan has already pledged $2 billion toward the cost of the 300,000-member multinational force in the Persian Gulf, and another $2 billion to aid “front-line” states hard hit by economic sanctions against Iraq.

Kaifu agreed with Fahd that Iraq’s Aug. 2 invasion of Kuwait, if unchecked, would allow the proliferation of a “dangerous principle that allowed strong states to swallow smaller ones,” the spokesman said.

Fahd said he would wait “a little longer” for the economic blockade of Iraq to take effect. He did not elaborate.

Kaifu arrived in the Red Sea port of Jidda on Saturday on the fourth leg of a five-nation Middle East tour. He travels to the Omani city of Salalah today for a meeting with Sultan Kaboos ibn Said.