USA: Japan's Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara says "concrete action" is needed by North Korea before nuclear talks resume

Record ID: 464989

  • Title: USA: Japan's Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara says "concrete action" is needed by North Korea before nuclear talks resume
  • Date: 7th January 2011
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C. UNITED STATES (JANUARY 6, 2010) (REUTERS TV) WIDE OF JAPAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER SEIJI MAEHARA (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER SEIJI MAEHARA SAYING: "North Korea has continued to take provocative actions threatening the stability of the regions and this, we are most gravely concerned about." WIDE OF ROOM (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER SEIJI MAEHARA SAYING: "I believe that what is most important is that the North- South dialogue be opened up and also that in the tri-partite foreign ministers' meeting with regard to the 6-party talks and that the Chinese have been calling for, we would not reject that. But we believe that it is important for DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) in the first place to take concrete actions. And, the Chinese, I trust have communicated this point to DPRK clearly. So, I believe that DPRK needs to, in the first place, take concrete action, and open up prospects towards more peaceful Korean peninsula. In any case, we desire peace and only through tenacious negotiations believe we can resolve this issue. So, we will keep coordinating with South Korea and the United States and strive for a resolution of the problem." AUDIENCE APPLAUDING AS MAEHARA TAKES A BOW AND WALKS OFF STAGE, GREETING PEOPLE
  • Embargoed: 22nd January 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa, Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA9YV9D67A80WVW82VOU4SCF6T3
  • Story Text: Japan's Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara says the dispute over North Korea's nuclear program can only be resolved through dialogue, but says Pyongyang must take "concrete action" before multinational talks can resume.
    During a visit to Washington, D.C. on Thursday (January 6), Maehara said Tokyo was "gravely concerned" over the North's threat to regional stability. He cited two military strikes on South Korea since May, and the North's revelation it has a facility to enrich uranium that could provide it an alternative means to make a nuclear bomb.
    "North Korea has continued to take provocative actions threatening the stability of the regions and this, we are most gravely concerned about," Maehara said.
    He stressed the importance of North and South Korea reopening dialogue, and for the resumption of six-nation talks on North Korea, which involve Japan. But Maehara did not say what specific action was required of the North for that to happen.
    Maehara was speaking ahead of a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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