DATE=12/1/1999 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=JAPAN / N. KOREA (L-ONLY) NUMBER=2-256698 BYLINE=TANYA CLARK DATELINE=TOKYO CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: A delegation led by former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama left Wednesday for North Korea on a mission to try to improve relations between the two countries. Tanya Clark reports from Tokyo that the non-partisan mission includes members from across Japan's political spectrum. TEXT: Mr. Murayama is carrying a letter from Japan's current Prime Minister, Keizo Obuchi, to North Korea's leader, Kim Chong-il. The message reportedly calls for improved Japan-North Korea relations. The letter is not an official request from the Japanese government. It was written in Mr. Obuchi's capacity as the head of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Mr. Murayama is leading a mission that hopes to propel Japan and North Korea to resume negotiations on re- establishing formal diplomatic ties. Japan restarted dialogues with Pyongyang in September. The resumption followed the U-S statement it would partially lift economic sanctions on North Korea in exchange for that nation's promise to suspend missile tests. Japan's relations with North Korea have been frozen since Pyongyang fired a medium-range ballistic missile over Japan in August last year. Mr. Murayama says he hopes the issue can be included in any formal diplomatic negotiations between the two nations. The delegation includes lawmakers from Japan's seven major parties and a representative from Japan's communist party. Mr. Murayama is a leading member of Japan's socialist party. Both political parties have had strong ties with North Korea in the past, which may help spur the discussions. Prime Minister Obuchi says his government is not imposing any restrictions on issues the mission members may discuss with North Korea. Mr Obuchi adds he believes both sides will work to clear the way for formal diplomatic negotiations to resume. However, North Korean has given little indication that it is willing to resume formal negotiations with Japan. The mission is scheduled to return to Japan Friday. (Signed) NEB/TC/FC/gm 01-Dec-1999 04:39 AM EDT (01-Dec-1999 0939 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
