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
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
