STUDENTS, STUDENTS PELTING POLICE, STUDENTS AND POLICE CLASH, POLICE AND STUDENTS FIGHTING; STUDENT ON GROUND BEING KICKED; STUDENT MANHANDLED.




Initials JP/V/JH/BB



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: RIOT POLICE AND STUDENT DEMONSTRATORS CLASHED NEAR TOKYO AIRPORT YESTERDAY (SEPTEMBER 7) SHORTLY BEFORE THE JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER, EISAKU SATO, FLEW TO TAIWAN. TWELVE STUDENTS WERE ARRESTED AND TWO POLICEMEN INJURED IN THE CLASHES.

ABOUT 400 PEOPLE WHO OBJECTED TO MR. SATO'S VISIT TO TAIWAN AND TALKS WITH OFFICIALS THERE, SHOVED AND JOSTLED POLICE AFTER 30 OF THE STUDENTS TRIED TO BREAK THROUGH A POLICE CORDON TO MARCH TO THE AIRPORT.

MR. SATO'S THREE-DAY VISIT TO TAIWAN IS THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF TRIPS WHICH WILL TAKE HIM TO SOUTH EAST ASIAN AND PACIFIC COUNTRIES, AS WELL AS THE UNITED STATES.

THE DEMONSTRATING STUDENTS HAD CLAIMED THAT IF MR. SATO WENT TO TAIWAN, THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA MIGHT CUT OFF ALL TRADE AGREEMENTS AND OTHER TIES WITH JAPAN.