DATE=3/7/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=JAPAN / N. KOREA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259902
BYLINE=KARRIN AMODEO
DATELINE=TOKYO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Japanese government says it will
resume food aid to North Korea as well as
negotiations on establishing diplomatic ties.
Karrin Amodeo in Tokyo reports, the shipments
will end a ban begun in 1998.
TEXT: The aid will consist of 100-thousand tons
of rice, delivered to North Korea through the
United Nations World Food Program.
Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi said on Tuesday the
decision was a humanitarian one. But the move is
also seen as a way to encourage talks on
rebuilding diplomatic ties with the Stalinist
regime.
At the same time Japan announced the resumed food
aid, it also said Pyongyang and Tokyo have agreed
in principle to resume full talks next month on
establishing diplomatic relations.
Formal talks on diplomatic relations broke down in
1992 over allegations that North Korea had abducted
Japanese nationals, a charge Pyongyang denied.
The rice shipment marks Japan's first delivery of
food to the starving country in three years. It
also signals the end of sanctions imposed against
Pyongyang after it test-fired a ballistic missile
over Japanese territory in August 1998. Shortly
after the missile launch, Japan stopped food aid,
suspended charter flights and broke off talks on
establishing diplomatic relations.
But the mood improved late last year following
North Korea's pledge to the United States that it
would freeze its nuclear weapons program.
Japan lifted all of its sanctions - except food
aid - after holding successful talks in December
aimed at normalizing relations.
/// REST OPT /// Anticipating Tokyo's
announcement, the United States said Monday it
welcomes the resumption of the food aid. A
senior administration official commented that
Japan's decision would likely help talks
beginning Tuesday in New York between the United
States and North Korea.
The talks will deal with a number of bilateral
issues, including a planned visit to Washington
by a high-level North Korean official.
NEB/KA/FC/KL
07-Mar-2000 07:59 AM EDT (07-Mar-2000 1259 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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