Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso began his three-day visit to the Middle East Monday at a meeting with President Shimon Peres at the Presidential Residence in Jerusalem. Aso is promoting a Japanese program to create an agricultural export zone in the West Bank which will entail the cooperation of Israelis, Palestinians and Jordanians. Aso is scheduled to meet with Jordanian, Palestinian and Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Olmert, to discuss the planned Japanese-funded project, which he hopes will improve relations between Israelis and Palestinians and contribute to regional stability. 08/14/07
