U.S. ASKS JAPAN TO SUSPEND IRANIAN OIL FIELD DEVELOPMENT, REPORT SAYS

Tokyo, 23 March (AKI) - The United States has informally asked Japan to give up plans to develop an Iranian oil field, a Japanese newspaper said on Thursday. The request was reportedly part of efforts to isolate Iran as the US and European powers fear it is attempting to build nuclear weapons. Quoting US government sources, the daily Sankei Shimbun said deputy secretary of state Robert Zoellick and undersecretary of state Robert Joseph informally asked Japan to suspend its plans to develop Iran's Azadegan oil field, at least for a while.
Tokyo has been planning to develop the oil field, estimated to hold the world's second-largest single oil reserve though the its close ally Washington opposes the plan.

Japan's top government spokesman, Shinzo Abe, was quoted by Reuters as saying that Tokyo's plans to develop Azadegan were not currently a topic of discussion with the United States. He added that the project was vital for Japan's need for stable energy supplies .

The report came a week after Japan's largest refiner, Nippon Oil Corp., said it would cut imports of Iranian crude due to rising risks associated with the country, the first sign that Tehran's controversial nuclear programme could affect its vital oil trade.

Washington's request was based on the belief that developing the field would provide funding to Iran for its nuclear activities and could prevent the international community from presenting a united front in dealing with Iran, the newspaper said.