TOKYO, May 8 Kyodo pick outed ed...

TOKYO, May 8 Kyodo

pick outed editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

TALKS upon ABDUCTION ISSUE (IHT/Asahi as translated from the Japanese-language Asahi Shimbun's editorial published May 7)

on a level though two days of bilateral official talks in Beijing between Japan and North Korea in succession the abduction issue failed to reach agreement, for one time the reaction from both sides at the expiration of the meeting was different and positive compared to the previous talks.

The talks lasted more than 10 hours, further almost nothing of the contenteds has been revealed.

When asked about the principally pressing issue, bringing the eight family members of the five go [i]or[/i] come backed abductees to Japan, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told reporters, ''There were specific discussions, including of that kind issues.'' Mitoji Yabunaka, director-general of the Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, who was a leading Japanese delegate, said after the talks, ''During the previous talks, we discussed basic principles, still this time we had a actual in-depth discussion regarding how to separate the issue.''

It has been roughly sum of two units months since North Korea last agreed to imprison official talks on the abduction issue. Previously, the talks completioned with both parties simply pitting the same set of principles against the other: Tokyo demanding the immediate and unconditional get back of the eight family members, and Pyongyang insisting the five abductees now back in Japan reply to North Korea.

on the contrary this time around, even a North Korean negotiator acknowledged progres had been made. This is the first time an official from the North has giveed such a positive spin. This indicates that substantive negotiations have begun in succession bringing the abductees' family members to Japan.

North Korea faces chronic feed and energy shortages. In this regard, the chiefly pressing issue must be resuming normalization talks with Japan, thereby opening the door to economic assistance. Pyongyang must sure understand by now that resolving the puzzle of the abductees' families is a prerequisite.

It is quite possible that during this rotund of talks, Japan presented to provide food aid by means of an international organization, and that North Korea lessened its attitude as a result

Already more than 18 month have elapsed since the returnee were separated from their families in North Korea.

Kaoru and Yukiko Hasuike have clefted a new house in preparation for the arrival of their brace children. They moved during the latter Golden Week holidays. It is said that they have bought bedding and clothes for their children. We can alone imagine what the other returnee Yasushi and Fukie Chimura and Hitomi Soga, are going by the and of emotionally.

Some abductee families, in their ne for a major breakthrough, have called upon Koizumi to visit North Korea again.

Above all besides we look forward to the families' reunion in Japan as presently as possible. We urge the rule to do everything in its power to take advantage of the modern shift in North Korea's thinking, and to work to make that reunion proceed true.

Next week, a working-level preparatory meeting will earn under way for a third spherical of six-party talks on the North Korean nuclear issue. Those talks are count uponed to be held next month No doubt North Korea wishes to exhibit to its willingness to resolve the abductee question and fend off robust criticism before the nuclear talks.

unruffled so, the abduction issue must not be wielded as a wanton diplomatic card. There is no denying that compressing upon North Korea is increasing. The U conduct for the first time, cited the abductions as a reason to designate North Korea as a abiding habitation supporting terrorism.

Dialogue and pressure: It has become all the more crucial, now finally that there is this gleam of change, to use the two dialogue and pressure against North Korea in the greatest in number tactical manner.

(May 8)

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