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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| Japan expresses 'serious concern' about N.Korean missiles in Beijing talks |
| 2004-09-26 |
| Japanese negotiators expressed "serious concern" about North Korea's missile program in talks that went into a second day in Beijing, a Japanese diplomat said. The Japanese delegation arrived at the North Korean embassy Sunday morning for discussions which the day before had focused on Pyongyang's missile and nuclear program and its past abductions of Japanese citizens. "The Japanese side expressed serious concern about the missile issue," said the Japanese diplomat, referring to Saturday's negotiations. The Japanese delegates, headed by Akitaka Saiki, the foreign ministry's deputy chief for Asian affairs, would see to it that the missile and nuclear issue was on Sunday's agenda as well, he said. The talks were taking place against the backdrop of a Japanese press report that increased activity had been observed at about 10 missile bases in North Korea that could be seen as preparation for a missile launch. One agenda item that the Japanese negotiators were keen to push again on Sunday was North Korea's abduction of Japanese citizens during the Cold War and their fate in the isolated country, according to the Japanese diplomat. "The North Korean side said it is still conducting its investigation into its abduction issue," he said of Saturday's talks. "They made an oral report about the investigations but it's not the final report." He said he did not know if any new details had emerged from the account provided by the North Korean side. The North Korean team is headed by Song Il Ho, who is deputy director of his foreign ministry's Asian Affairs department. During the talks this weekend, North Korea had been expected to disclose information about 10 missing Japanese nationals abducted in the 1970s and 1980s. The kidnapping issue has been the biggest obstacle to the normalization of relations between the two countries. |
| Posted by:Mark Espinola |
| #2 Japan's only "serious concern" should be over the rapid assembly and test of a nuclear device by their own scientists. Buried somewhere deep within the politburo's archives is an ancient map showing Japan as a Suzerain of China. Japan needs to act accordingly. After gobbling up Taiwan, the politburo will probably feel an urgent need to go on a Japanese Diet. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2004-09-26 7:59:04 PM |
| #1 In other news the Diet is informed of the need for 12 roller-blade carriers. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-09-26 6:46:53 PM |