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
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