DATE=8/24/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=JAPAN-KOREAS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-253062
BYLINE=STEVEN HERMAN
DATELINE=TOKYO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Japan and South Korea say they see some
positive signs from North Korea, including a
willingness to talk. But Steve Herman reports from
Tokyo that the Japanese and South Korean foreign
ministers say they are not yet convinced Pyongyang has
backed away from plans to test-fire another ballistic
missile.
TEXT: High-ranking officials at Japan's Foreign
Ministry say it is difficult to draw conclusions about
Pyongyang's motives. Nevertheless, they say talks
here between Seoul and Tokyo about North Korea have
been constructive. Officials say that Japanese
Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura and South Korean
Foreign Minister Hong Soon Young want to send positive
messages to North Korea but they also agreed that they
need to closely watch future developments.
Foreign Minister Hong has also reportedly reached
agreement with Tokyo on the installation of a security
hotline with Japan, and on setting up a joint security
council.
The South Korean foreign minister is in Tokyo as part
of a diplomatic offensive by Seoul to prevent North
Korea from carrying out another missile test. As part
of that, on Monday, South Korea's Defense Minister Cho
Sung Tae began talks on the issue in Beijing with his
Chinese counterpart, Chi Haotian. China's Xinhua news
agency reports that Mr. Chi avoided a direct answer to
South Korea's appeal for China to pressure Pyongyang
to cancel the expected test.
Both the Japanese and South Korean governments say
they are encouraged by recent statements
from North Korea's foreign ministry that Pyongyang is
open to talks about concerns over the North's reported
plan to test-fire a long-range ballistic missile.
Diplomats here say North Korea appears to have
somewhat toned down its anti-Japanese propaganda,
after a warning from Tokyo. Japanese officials
cautioned that if a missile were fired over Japanese
territory, Tokyo might respond by cutting off what
limited financial assistance it provides North Korea
directly and might also move to block private
transfers of money and assistance to Pyongyang.
Funds from ethnic Koreans born in Japan are believed
to be a vital resource for the cash-strapped country.
(Signed)
NEB/SH/FC/PLM
24-Aug-1999 06:59 AM EDT (24-Aug-1999 1059 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
