DATE=9/6/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=NOKOR NO-SHOW REACT (L)
NUMBER=2-266179
BYLINE=AMY BICKERS
DATELINE=TOKYO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Japan and South Korea have expressed
disappointment (Wednesday) after North Korea pulled
out of the United Nations Millennium Summit in New
York. Amy Bickers reports from Tokyo.
TEXT: Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori was to have
met Kim Yong Nam, North Korea's ceremonial head of
state, separately during the U-N Millennium Summit on
Thursday.
It would have marked the highest level contact between
the historic enemies, which have never set up
diplomatic relations. Mr. Kim is considered the
number-two official in North Korea after leader Kim
Jong Il.
Japan and North Korea are in the midst of talks on
establishing formal ties. They have completed two
rounds of bilateral talks on the subject since April,
with the last set of negotiations wrapping up late
last month in Tokyo. They will meet again in October.
Mr. Kim's decision to fly home also dashed prospects
for a meeting with South Korean President Kim Dae-jung
to follow up the historic June summit between the two
Korean leaders. On Wednesday, North and South Korea
said the thawing of relations would not be affected by
the incident in Frankfurt. North Korea says top
officials from the two countries would have
opportunities to meet elsewhere.
Mr. Kim cancelled his delegation's appearance at the
summit because he objected to the way American
Airline's security staff treated his group trying to
board a flight for New York at an airport in
Frankfurt, Germany.
There are divergent accounts of what happened. The
United States expressed regret but said the officials
were following enhanced security procedures for
nationals that Washington brands state sponsors of
terrorism - which include North Korea. The State
Department stressed the search was carried out by
airline staff, not US government personnel.
The North Koreans say the United States will pay a
dear price for having offended North Korean dignity.
(SIGNED)
NEB/HK/AB/GC/JO
06-Sep-2000 07:04 AM LOC (06-Sep-2000 1104 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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