Cementing Partnership with Pacific-Rim Nations

摘要

Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto paid official visits to three countries — the United States, Australia and New Zealand — from April 24 to 30, and in his talks with their leaders and top-ranking officials, reconfirmed the need to further strengthenmutual cooperation for the peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. Upon arriving in the United States on the first leg of his tour, Prime Minister Hashimoto received an unscheduled invitation from President Bill Clinton to visit the White Housefor an informal get-together. The President personally showed him around the White House. Such informal invitations are extremely rare and the President's invitation attested to close personal friendship between the two leaders.