Japan pressing for trans-Siberian pipe for Russian crude

[dArKeR]

AP , BANGKOK
Tuesday, Oct 21, 2003,Page 5

It's a project near and dear to Japan's heart. A multibillion dollar pipeline to pump oil across Siberia to the Pacific, where it can be easily shipped to meet energy-hungry Japan's ever-growing demand.

But in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi had to settle for what has become a familiar response to Tokyo's pleas -- a definite maybe.

Koizumi, who arrived late Sunday to attend a two-day gathering of Pacific Rim leaders, made meeting Putin the first item of business.

Japanese delegation officials, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity, said Koizumi urged Putin to visit Japan as soon as possible after Russia's upcoming presidential elections, which are scheduled for March.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2003/10/21/2003072772

[E_Zapata]

1. Ahhh, I was wondering where Japan would land for WW4

Okay...throw Japan in with the russian axis -- which really means that all of asia will go with russia instead of the USA for the big war.

I guess the only wild card for the next world war is who latin america will side with. Hmmmmm, we haven't been that nice to Vicente Fox, have we? And Chavez of Venezuela isn't too keen on us.

I swear, if there were a world war today, would ANY country side with the USA? (yes, of course, Israel. But the UK? The brit populace may just force their govt to stick with the EU alliance).

[The_Casual_Observer]

2. Don't forget the good faith pledge to the Iraqi "get well fund"

Japan sees a cheap steady supply of oil as their economic salvation. They don't care where they get it from.

[Nottingham]

3. Can we say Russia is the MoneyMakers Now

:bounce:

[Capt_Nemo]

4. "definite maybe", meaning:

if you stop being a neo-con vassal we'll have a deal.

[ze_dscherman]

5. BIG money (7 Bln. $) proposed

"Upping the ante in its race with China to secure Russian energy supplies, Tokyo has offered Moscow a $7 billion financial package to build an oil pipeline to the Pacific instead of a rival project to northeast China, the Financial Times reported Tuesday.

Quoting an unidentified Japanese energy official, the FT said Tokyo is offering $5 billion to support construction of the 3,800-kilometer pipeline from eastern Siberia to the Pacific port of Nakhodka and another $2 billion to help develop Siberian oil fields and provide low-interest loans."

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2003/10/15/042.html