DATE=3/7/2000 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=JAPAN / N. KOREA (L-ONLY) NUMBER=2-259902 BYLINE=KARRIN AMODEO DATELINE=TOKYO CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: The Japanese government says it will resume food aid to North Korea as well as negotiations on establishing diplomatic ties. Karrin Amodeo in Tokyo reports, the shipments will end a ban begun in 1998. TEXT: The aid will consist of 100-thousand tons of rice, delivered to North Korea through the United Nations World Food Program. Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi said on Tuesday the decision was a humanitarian one. But the move is also seen as a way to encourage talks on rebuilding diplomatic ties with the Stalinist regime. At the same time Japan announced the resumed food aid, it also said Pyongyang and Tokyo have agreed in principle to resume full talks next month on establishing diplomatic relations. Formal talks on diplomatic relations broke down in 1992 over allegations that North Korea had abducted Japanese nationals, a charge Pyongyang denied. The rice shipment marks Japan's first delivery of food to the starving country in three years. It also signals the end of sanctions imposed against Pyongyang after it test-fired a ballistic missile over Japanese territory in August 1998. Shortly after the missile launch, Japan stopped food aid, suspended charter flights and broke off talks on establishing diplomatic relations. But the mood improved late last year following North Korea's pledge to the United States that it would freeze its nuclear weapons program. Japan lifted all of its sanctions - except food aid - after holding successful talks in December aimed at normalizing relations. /// REST OPT /// Anticipating Tokyo's announcement, the United States said Monday it welcomes the resumption of the food aid. A senior administration official commented that Japan's decision would likely help talks beginning Tuesday in New York between the United States and North Korea. The talks will deal with a number of bilateral issues, including a planned visit to Washington by a high-level North Korean official. NEB/KA/FC/KL 07-Mar-2000 07:59 AM EDT (07-Mar-2000 1259 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
