DATE=5/17/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=JAPAN/NORTH KOREA TALKS POSTPONED (L)
NUMBER=2-262465
BYLINE=AMY BICKERS
DATELINE=TOKYO
CONTENT=
INTRO: Japan announced Wednesday that North Korea has
requested a delay in negotiations to establish diplomatic
ties. As V-O-A correspondent Amy Bickers reports from
Tokyo.
TEXT: The Japanese government confirms talks have been
delayed, but did not outline the reasons. However, Japanese
government sources say Tokyo and Pyongyang remain at odds
over several key issues. The landmark negotiations to
establish formal relations were to have been held in Tokyo
next week.
Major obstacles include North Korea's suspected kidnapping
of 10 Japanese citizens by North Korean spies in the 1970s
and 1980s. Pyongyang denies that the abductions took place
and Tokyo continues to press for answers.
North Korea is also demanding that Japan apologize and
provide compensation for 35 years of colonial rule on the
Korean Peninsula which ended in 1945.
/// OPT /// There are also reports that Pyongyang demanded
additional food aid as a condition for reopening the talks.
Japan decided to give food to North Korea just three months
ago. /// END OPT ///
For Japan, North Korea's weapons program remains a thorny
issue. Japanese officials remain concerned that the North's
offensive missile capability could destabilize the region.
Two years ago, Pyongyang stunned Tokyo when it fired a
ballistic missile over Japan.
It is not clear when discussions may be rescheduled. Japan
and Pyongyang reopened negotiations in April after nearly
an eight-year break.
Recently, Communist North Korea has been making moves to
break out of its Cold War isolation. Earlier this month it
announced it was normalizing relations with Australia, and
it re-established contacts with Italy in January. Some
analysts say it is seeking to secure desperately needed
assistance to revive its crumbling economy. (SIGNED)
NEB/HK/AB/JO/KL
17-May-2000 08:34 AM EDT (17-May-2000 1234 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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