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Putin in Tokyo for oil and territorial talks
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-11-20 19:59
TOKYO (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Tokyo on Sunday for three days of tense diplomacy aimed at putting aside a 60-year territorial row between the Pacific neighbors and opening the door for more trade.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reviews the guard of honour upon his arrival at Haneda international airport in Tokyo November 20, 2005. [Reuters] |
His arrival was met with loud protests from Japanese ultra-nationalists, demanding the return of four Pacific islands seized by the Soviet army in the closing days of World War Two.
The dispute over the tiny wind-swept islands, known as the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kuriles in Russia, has marred relations between Tokyo and Moscow for much of the 20th century and has prevented them from signing a peace treaty.
Dozens of buses with loudspeakers blaring messages such as "Return the Northern Territories" and "Go home" attempted to park outside the central hotel where Putin was staying, but were kept back by a police cordon.
Some protesters carrying Japanese flags and banners briefly clashed with police as they tried to climb over the barriers. Police appeared to take several people into custody before the demonstrators were dispersed.
Putin, traveling from South Korea where he attended the APEC summit was due to visit a Russian exhibition later in the day. He last visited Japan in 2000.
On Monday, the Kremlin leader, accompanied by more than 100 top Russian businessmen, was due to attend an economic forum and meet Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
150TH ANNIVERSARY
Moscow and Tokyo want to put economic incentives above politics and use the symbolism of this year's 150th anniversary of their first trade treaty to open up more trade between the world's No. 2 economy and the world's No. 2 oil exporter.
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