DATE=1/5/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=NORTH KOREA/ITALY (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-257794
BYLINE=AMY BICKERS
DATELINE=HONG KONG
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Japan and South Korea Wednesday welcomed
Italy's decision to forge diplomatic relations with
North Korea. Amy Bickers reports from the V-O-A Asia
News Center, the communist country is also said to be
seeking ties with other Pacific Rim nations.
TEXT: As Italy became the first Group of Seven nation
to open diplomatic relations with North Korea,
Pyongyang said the move was a step towards contact
with other countries.
Analysts say North Korea is interested in resuming
ties with The Philippines and Australia. Officials
from Sydney and Pyongyang are expected to meet and
discuss this issue next month.
In Europe, Italy is not the first country to open
diplomatic relations with North Korea. Sweden,
Denmark, Finland, Austria and Portugal have done so
already.
Bob Broadfoot, a Hong Kong-based political consultant,
says the announcement could represent an important
shift in North Korea's international relations.
/// BROADFOOT ACT ///
Whether it is South Korea, or China or the United
States or virtually every country in the region, I
cannot think of one that would not like to see North
Korea take steps to rejoin the world's commercial
community. It is the avenue that provides a long term
peaceful solution to the very, very serious problems
on the Korean Peninsula.
/// END ACT ///
Japan and South Korea are both welcoming Italy's
decision. Japan's chief cabinet secretary says it
means that there is now another window to North Korea.
South Korean says Italy's step would support Seoul's
engagement policy with its communist neighbor.
Analysts say Italy's decision is unlikely to have a
direct affect on Japan's efforts to normalize ties
with North Korea. Tokyo recently lifted sanctions on
North Korea and the two countries held preparatory
talks aimed at normalizing ties. They are set to meet
again in the next few months. But North Korea has made
improved relations conditional on compensation and an
apology from Japan for its wartime occupation of the
Korean peninsula.
North and South Korea remain technically at war, but
Seoul says it is not opposed to other countries
forging ties with Pyongyang. (SIGNED)
NEB/AB/FC
05-Jan-2000 06:07 AM EDT (05-Jan-2000 1107 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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