DAVOS, SWITZERLAND. Feb 1: Blunt talk from US officials at the world's' top business summit has exposed Washington's growing impatience with the role Japan and Europe are playing during the worst economic crisis in 50 years, reports Reuters.

Emboldened by brisk growth and a budget surplus back home. Vice President Al Gore. Treasury Secret ary Robert Ru-bin apd Rubin s deputy Lawrence Summers have used the World Economic Forum's annual meeting to prod their allies for more action.

The world from Washington is clear: The United States is irked that it is running a record trade deficit to help fuel world growth while Japan and Europe run surpluses.

Gore said all three partners had to foster sound growth "if we are 10, prevent the financial crisis of 1998 from becoming the trade crisis of 1999, America cannot be the importer of only resort."

Addressing hundreds of business and political leaders on Friday, he stepped up pressure on Japan to speed steps to revive the world's second-biggest but stagnant economy that even In recession makes up two-thirds of Asia's output.

"With due regard for the progress Japan has made, we — all die rest of us in the world — respectfully repeat to Japan, our friend and partner: please, we need you help to deal with this global economic crisis''

Europe had to use momen-

tum from the launch of its new euro currency to make its economies more liberal, flexible and open to imports, he said.

Rubin stuck the same note on Saturday.

"For a healthy global economy it s very important for the other industrial countries in the world — Europe and Japan — to focus aggressively on promoting. domestic demand-led growth and substantially reduce formal and informal barriers to trade."

Japan's top trade diplomat. Vice Finance Minister Eisuke Sakakibara, defended Tokyo's record, insisting its-package to stimulate the economy and shore up its financial system

"The implementation pro-

gramnie that wc have is almost Amefuan It is really IJN-Japanesc." he said.

US officials seamed eager for proof after vtars of pledges front Tokyo, that real results were on the way.

"I know that wc would all be prepared to congratulate the Japanese authorities if a year from now we were able to de claic the Japanese financial crisis definitively over and Japan's growth definitively reestablished.” Rubin's deputy :S.umniers;^f^

"I suspect that are view of Japanese pronouncements at the last eight meetings of the Davos cconoinie forum would suggest that it was a good idea to wait ami see whal happens before elect..tint rteto. y