DATE=12/22/1999 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=JAPAN-NORTH KOREA (L) NUMBER=2-257384 BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO DATELINE=BEIJING CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: Officials from Japan and North Korea have completed preparatory discussions in Beijing, for talks aimed at normalizing relations between the two Asian neighbors. V-O- A's Stephanie Ho reports from the Chinese capital. TEXT: North Korean and Japanese foreign ministry officials ended two days of talks Wednesday on an upbeat note. A Japanese official described the talks as a very good discussion in a very friendly atmosphere. He characterized the exchange of opinions as frank and said both sides were able to get a better view of the other's position. The only concrete announcement from this round is that the two sides will hold more preparatory talks early next year. But the Japanese official pointed out that this is the first time both sides have had formal dialogue in two years. He added that he is fairly optimistic Japan and North Korea will not have to hold too many more preparatory meetings before both sides actually move toward normalization talks. This sense of hopefulness contrasts with a more pessimistic assessment of the talks just a few days ago. On Sunday, the North Korean and Japanese Red Cross societies began what was scheduled to be a two-day meeting. By Monday, though, the talks had stalled and Japanese negotiators were already on their way home Tuesday morning. At the last minute, they were called back from the airport, and by Tuesday afternoon, both Red Cross societies announced a four-point agreement that includes possible Japanese food aid shipments to impoverished North Korea. The successful conclusion of the Red Cross talks gave impetus to the discussion between the Japanese and North Korean governments. The Japanese official said both sides have not set a time and place for their next meeting, but that it is likely to happen sometime early next year. (signed) NEB/HO/FC 22-Dec-1999 04:07 AM EDT (22-Dec-1999 0907 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
