DATE=8/24/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=JAPAN-NORKOR TALKS END (LONG)
NUMBER=2-265811
BYLINE=BICKERS
DATELINE=TOKYO
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT
INTRO: Japan and North Korea remain at odds after a
another round of talks aimed at setting up diplomatic
ties. As Bickers reports from Tokyo, sources say
there was virtually no change from previous rounds, in
the two sides' negotiating positions.
TEXT: For now, Japan and North Korea appear to have
politely agreed to disagree on the complex issues that
are blocking the way to the establishment of formal
ties. After two days of meetings in Tokyo and nearby
Chiba, the two sides say they will meet again in
Beijing in October for another try.
An official from Japan's Foreign Ministry told
reporters that there were few meaningful developments
during the talks. However, he said the two teams were
able to get a better understanding of each other's
views.
On each side, a key obstacle blocks the way forward.
North Korea wants Japan to make amends for its wartime
occupation of the country during the first half of the
20th century. Negotiators spent three hours Thursday
explaining their respective positions on the issue.
Pyongyang is asking for an official written apology,
compensation to satisfy North Koreans, payment for
damaged or stolen cultural assets, and an assurance of
the legal status of Koreans living in Japan.
Tokyo is demanding information on the whereabouts of
at least 10 Japanese nationals allegedly kidnapped by
North Korea in the 1970's and 1980's. Pyongyang denies
the allegations, but has promised to search for them,
classifying them as missing persons. Japanese
negotiators have ruled out any agreement that does not
resolve this issue.
Yoshida Yasuhiko, a North Korean specialist based at
Japan's Saitama University, says the intractable
positions mean a resolution to the two rivals'
tensions is unlikely to come soon.
/// YOSHIDA IN JAPANESE UP FOR :03 AND UNDER ///
He says that both countries' demands remain the same
as before and that there cannot be a breakthrough
without a political agreement at the highest level. He
says that as long as their positions remain unchanged,
relations cannot be normalized.
The two countries clashed over the same issues when
they held the first round of talks on establishing
ties in April, in the North Korean capital. That
gathering marked the resumption of normalization
negotiations that collapsed in 1992 after eight
rounds.
Since then, North Korea has made overtures to other
nations, as it withdraws from its Cold War isolation.
In recent months it has set up ties with Australia,
the Philippines, Italy and Brunei, and in June held a
groundbreaking summit with South Korea.
But analysts say the lack of progress during the
current round of talks with Japan, suggests a long,
tough road ahead. (SIGNED)
NEB/AB/FC
24-Aug-2000 07:35 AM EDT (24-Aug-2000 1135 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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