Japan will make positive contribution to a possible substantive
progress in the fourth round of six-party talks on the Korean
Peninsula nuclear issue, Sasae Kenichiro, head of the Japanese
delegation and director-general of the Foreign Ministry's Asia and
Oceanian Affairs Bureau, said on Tuesday.??
He made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the fourth round
of six-party talks.?????
Kenichiro said, "Japan believes the six-party talks are the best
framework for the peaceful settlement of the Korean nuclear
issue."
The Japanese delegation will cooperate with the other five
delegations closely with a flexible and constructive attitude in
pushing forward the six-party talks, he added.
In his speech at Tuesday's opening ceremony, Kenichiro also
urged North Korea to completely abandon all of its nuclear
programs. The abandonment will be in conformity with the common
aspiration of the international community and with North Korea's
own interest, he said.
He noted that to resolve the Korean nuclear issue is a
precondition for Japan to normalize its relationship with North
Korea. Other preconditions include settlement of missile and
abduction issues, he added.
(Xinhua News Agency July 26, 2005)