REFILING Japan, N. Korea discuss abductions on 2nd day of talks
February 4, 2006Japan and North Korea on Sunday began discussing a way to solve their bitter dispute over the past abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korean agents, as their talks in Beijing entered the second day. A bilateral panel tasked with the issue met at a Beijing hotel in the morning for the first leg of a new three-track discussion aimed at solving problems preventing the two countries from normalizing diplomatic relations.
N. Korea discuss abductions on 2nd day of talks
February 4, 2006Japan and North Korea on Sunday began discussing a way to solve their bitter dispute over the past abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korean agents, as their talks in Beijing entered the second day. A bilateral panel tasked with the issue met at a Beijing hotel in the morning for the first leg of a new three-track discussion aimed at solving problems preventing the two countries from normalizing diplomatic relations.
Japan, N. Korea discuss abductions on 2nd day of talks
February 4, 2006Japan and North Korea on Sunday began discussing a way to solve their bitter dispute over the past abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korean agents, as their talks in Beijing entered the second day. A panel tasked with the issue met at a Beijing hotel in the morning for the first leg of a new three-track discussion aimed at solving problems preventing the two countries from normalizing diplomatic relations.
IAEA adopts resolution to report Iran nuke issue to UNSC
February 4, 2006The International Atomic Energy Agency on Saturday adopted a resolution to report the Iranian nuclear issue to the U.N. Security Council for noncompliance with the country's obligations under the IAEA safeguards accord. Twenty-seven of 35 countries comprising the IAEA's Board, including the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, voted to report the issue to the council while three countries -- Cuba, Syria and Venezuela -- were against it. Five countries abstained.
Japan, N. Korea agree on schedule on 1st day of Beijing talks
February 4, 2006Japan and North Korea began bilateral talks under a new three-track format Saturday in Beijing by agreeing on a schedule for the next few days of discussions, while staying away from the details of problems preventing them from normalizing ties, negotiators said. Under the agreement, three panels will each be given a day for talks, beginning with that on North Korea's past abductions of Japanese nationals on Sunday, said Koichi Haraguchi, Japanese ambassador in charge of Japan-North Korea normalization talks.
IAEA adopts resolution to report Iran nuke issue to UNSC
February 4, 2006The International Atomic Energy Agency on Saturday adopted a resolution to report the Iranian nuclear issue to the U.N. Security Council. Twenty-seven of 35 countries comprising the IAEA's Board, including the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, voted to report the issue to the council while three countries were against it. Five countries abstained.
Ex-agent told S. Korean investigators Kim Jong Il ordered abductions
February 4, 2006A former North Korean agent who is on the international wanted list told South Korean investigators in 1985 that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il directly told him to abduct Japanese nationals and use their identities in spy activities, according to recent remarks by sources close to Japan-South Korea ties. Sin Guang Su, 76, suspected of violating Japan's passport law by obtaining identification documents under the name of Japanese abductee Tadaaki Hara who disappeared in 1980 at age 43, said after being arrested in South Korea for spying that Kim also told him to keep the abductions secret, the sources said.
Japan offers condolences to victims of Egyptian ferry disaster
February 4, 2006Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso expressed condolences Saturday over disastrous sinking of an Egyptian passenger ferry in the Red Sea, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 185 people. ''With profound sorrow, we take in the news that many people have become victims (of the ferry disaster). Representing the Japanese government and people, I extend my heartfelt sympathy to your Excellency and bereaved relatives,'' Aso said in a message sent to his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Ali Ahmed Abul-Gheit.
U.S. Treasury warns of N. Korea looking for new money-launderer
February 4, 2006North Korea may be looking for banks to help it launder money and the United States is ready to take action if this happens, a senior U.S. Treasury Department official said Friday. The Treasury accused Macao-based Banco Delta Asia SARL last fall of having laundered money for North Korea. In reaction, Pyongyang has refused to return to the six-party talks on its nuclear ambitions until Washington removes the financial sanctions.
Japan, S. Korea OK to double size of currency swap deal
February 4, 2006Japan and South Korea agreed Saturday to increase the size of a bilateral currency swap agreement to $15 billion from $7 billion to help address potential financial crises in Asia. Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki and his South Korean counterpart, Han Duck Soo, said they reached the agreement during the first annual bilateral finance ministerial meeting held in Tokyo.
Stampede kills 61 at stadium in Manila suburb
February 4, 2006At least 61 people, most of them women, were killed in a stampede on early Saturday outside a sports stadium in a Manila suburb, police said. Tens of thousands of people were waiting to get inside the stadium in Pasig to watch a popular game show when the incident took place, metropolitan police chief Vidal Querol said.
List of chief delegates from Japan, N. Korea in 3-track talks
February 4, 2006The following is a list of the chief delegates from Japan and North Korea in the bilateral talks under a new three-track format beginning Saturday in Beijing. Three panels will separately address diplomatic normalization, North Korea's abductions of Japanese citizens and Pyongyang's nuclear and missile development. DIPLOMATIC NORMALIZATION
Key issues to be discussed in 3-track Japan-N. Korea talks
February 4, 2006The following are key issues expected to be discussed or taken up in bilateral talks between Japan and North Korea under a new three-track format from Saturday in Beijing. Three panels will separately address diplomatic normalization, North Korea's abductions of Japanese citizens and Pyongyang's nuclear and missile development. DIPLOMATIC NORMALIZATION