DATE=10/6/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=JAPAN / N. KOREA (2ND CQ)
NUMBER=2-254727
BYLINE=JOCELYN FORD
DATELINE=TOKYO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
/// Re-issuing to change intro - adding number of
months ago (14) North Korea fired missile over Japan -
and to correct last sentence of second graf of text,
deleting "11 months ago." ///
INTRO: Newly appointed Japanese Foreign Minister
Yohei Kono says Tokyo may ease economic sanctions
imposed on North Korea after it fired a missile
over Japan 14 months ago. Jocelyn Ford reports
from the Japanese capital, the Foreign Minister's
remarks (Wednesday) follow progress in talks
between Washington and Pyongyang last month.
TEXT: Foreign Minister Yohei Kono says Japan is
considering resuming charter flights to North
Korea.
In an interview with Japanese news reporters, he
said the move would be the first stage in lifting
the sanctions against its Communist neighbor that
were imposed after Pyongyang test-fired a
ballistic missile over Japan.
Relations have been on hold ever since the
missile launch over the northern part of Japan.
North Korea says the rocket was a satellite
launch, not a missile.
Mr. Kono said Japan would also consider resuming
humanitarian food aid to North Korea, though he
cautioned Tokyo would not move immediately.
Speaking on his second day in office, Mr. Kono
said the policy shift is aimed at supporting
diplomatic achievements by the United States.
Washington recently announced plans to ease a
longstanding ban on trade and investment in North
Korea. The announcement came after Pyongyang
promised last month to freeze test launches of
long range missiles, as long as talks with the
United States are underway.
In another overture to Pyongyang, Mr. Kono said
Japan is relaxing conditions for resuming
diplomatic talks.
Previously, Japan insisted that, as a condition
for resuming contact, the two countries must
first make progress in settling Japan's
allegation that North Korean spies abducted at
least ten Japanese nationals in the 1970s and
80s.
North Korea has denied the accusations.
Mr. Kono said Japan is closely coordinating its
policy toward North Korea with the United
States and South Korea.
Pyongyang and Washington are scheduled to resume
talks later this month, when North Korean First
Vice Foreign Minister (Kang Sok Ju) visits
Washington. (Signed)
NEB/JF/FC/KL
06-Oct-1999 12:27 PM EDT (06-Oct-1999 1627 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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