Gorbachev: Russia, Japan should agree to peace treaty via cooperation

The absence of a peace treaty between Russia and Japan should not obstruct cooperation between the two countries, and in fact the development of this cooperation should help them sign this treaty, former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev said.
"There is no need to present ultimatums and say: a peace treaty first and only then all the rest. No. We need to develop cooperation in business, science, culture and other areas more actively. All this provides a favorable atmosphere for discussing the peace treaty issue, and the course of events and time will clarify everything," Gorbachev told Interfax on Saturday in comments on the outcomes of his weeklong trip to Japan.
"It was noticeable both during public debates and during meetings in a narrow format between politicians and public figures that ultimatum-like demands are more characteristic of government positions," Gorbachev said.

Interfax, May 21, 2005