DATE=8/22/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=JAPAN /NOKOR TALKS OPEN (L)
NUMBER=2-265724
BYLINE=AMY BICKERS
DATELINE=TOKYO
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Negotiators from Japan and North Korea have
reopened normalization talks Tuesday after a four
month hiatus. As V-O-A's Amy Bickers reports from
Tokyo, delegates for the two sides met briefly to
clarify their positions and plan to meet again on
Thursday.
TEXT: North Korea took another step away from its
isolationist past Tuesday, restarting talks with Japan
on establishing formal ties. Pyongyang had postponed
the talks in May to focus on its groundbreaking summit
with South Korea.
The talks in Tokyo Tuesday reportedly focused on the
main points of contention between the two states. They
are Pyongyang's insistence that Japan give
compensation for its 35 year colonial rule of the
Korean peninsula, and Japan's demands for a probe of
alleged kidnappings of about 10 Japanese by North
Korean agents.
In a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei
Kono, North Korea's chief negotiator was quoted as
saying that a liquidation of the past was essential
before Japan and North Korea could move forward.
/// OPT /// Relatives of the alleged kidnapping
victims and far right activists protested in front of
Japan's foreign ministry Tuesday. They are demanding
that the alleged abductions be at the top of the
agenda. /// END OPT ///
These talks are the second round of negotiations,
which began in April. Before that, they had been
suspended for eight years.
The negotiating teams will move to the city of
Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo on Thursday
for the second day of talks. No negotiations are
scheduled for Wednesday.
/// REST OPT ///
Kojiro Takano, Japan's chief envoy for negotiations
with North Korea, says he hopes the anticipated easing
of tension on the Korean peninsula will help improve
bilateral relations. (SIGNED)
NEB/HK/AB/JO
22-Aug-2000 04:04 AM LOC (22-Aug-2000 0804 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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