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Philippines asks Japan to help develop poor areas
The Philippines President, Gloria Arroyo, has sought Japan's help in developing poor Muslim areas in the south of the country
Mrs Arroyo made the appeal to visiting Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, during talks which centered on regional security, anti-terrorism efforts and cooperation to overcome their economic difficulties.
She stressed that eradicating poverty would help fight terrorism, but Mr Koizumi's response was not clear.
But, Philippine national security adviser Roilo Golez, who attended the meeting, expressed optimism there will be more Japanese involvement in the development of the violence-prone southern region of Mindanao.
The region, homeland to about five-million Muslim Filipinos, has been the scene of decades of bloody separatist uprisings.
Mr Koizumi arrived in Manila on the first leg of an Asian tour that will also take him to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore.
10/01/02 11:25:46 | ABC Radio Australia News
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