All parties were able to discuss substantial issues in a "very
frank" manner at the just-ended second round of six-party talks in
Beijing, and the outcome was "positive", said a Japanese official
Saturday evening in Beijing, on condition of anonymity Saturday
evening.
The official told journalists that the outcome of the four-day
talks was positive in that all parties were able to confirm once
again that their common goal is to deal with the nuclear issue of
the Korean Peninsula.
They were also able to understand the importance of the
complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantling of the DPRK's
(Democratic People's Republic of Korea) nuclear weapons program, he
said.
Another positive point is that the parties agreed to continue
the talks, and a working group would be set up, he said.
"We are fully aware that the process will not be easy, but Japan
is willing to work patiently towards the solution of the issue in
coordination with the United States, the Republic of Korea, and
also with China and Russia," said the official.
Besides the nuclear issue, Japan also attaches importance to its
bilateral relations with the DPRK, he said.
According to the official, the Japanese delegation brought up
the issue of abduction during the six-party talks, requiring a
bilateral dialogue on this issue, and the DPRK agreed to respond to
the request after returning to Pyongyang.
(Xinhua News Agency February 29, 2004)