An official with the Japanese delegation to the six-party talks
said in Beijing Monday Japan hoped to have bilateral talks with
North Korea, and hoped achievements would be made by all six
parties.
The official, who declined to give his name and title, said the
Japanese side hoped to see a positive attitude and concrete action
towards the denuclearization issue by North Korea.
"We will make this our goal and strive for concrete results from
the talks," said the official.
He said Japan's basic position was still the verifiable
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
While hailing the six-party talks as a "most suitable" framework
for resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, the official said
China, as host, has played a very important role in the talks.
"We know that China has made great efforts to get the six-party
talks resumed and we appreciate the work China has done," he said,
adding Japan will keep close contacts and make joint efforts with
China.
The official also considered it necessary to set up a working
group meeting under the six-party talks to discuss detailed
issues.
Japan's top negotiator Kenichiro Sasae said on Sunday "it is
important that in this round of talks North Korea takes a concrete
step towards denuclearization."
Chief negotiators to the six-party talks gathered here Monday
morning, initiating a new round of talks on the Korean Peninsula
nuclear issue.
(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2006)