ID :
11429
Fri, 07/04/2008 - 17:40
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/11429
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Fukuda, abductee's mother encouraged by Bush abduction-issue remarks
TOKYO, July 3 Kyodo - Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and the mother of a Japanese national abducted by North Korea appeared encouraged Thursday with remarks by U.S. President George W. Bush that the United States will continue to press North Korea to resolve the abduction issue at the six-party talks aimed at disbanding Pyongyang's
nuclear arsenal.
''We feel very encouraged. This is an issue that should be resolved between Japan and North Korea, but international opinion is also very important,'' Fukuda said when asked by reporters about Bush's remarks made during an interview with Japanese media prior to the Group of Eight summit in Japan.
Fukuda, who will chair next week's summit, also said there is a need to create an environment that would ''make resolution of the abduction issue easier'' and that he would like to cooperate with the G-8 leaders and gain understanding from them over the issue.
Separately, Sakie Yokota, whose daughter Megumi was abducted to North Korea in 1977 at the age of 13, said about Bush's remarks, ''While I have concern that it will not be so easy, I have a little hope.''
''I'd like countries in the world to become aware of the abduction issue and be unified to move North Korea even by a little,'' the 72-year-old Yokota said.
''I'd like Japan to actively speak out to other countries more than the United States does.''
During the interview on Wednesday, Bush said he believes the six-way talks are ''the best way to effect change in the North Korean regime'' over outstanding issues ranging from Pyongyang's nuclear drive to the abductions.
The comments came after the United States began steps to remove North Korea from its list of state sponsors of terrorism in reaction to the North's long-delayed declaration of its nuclear activities last month.
Concerns in Japan remain that the removal, a long-standing demand by Pyongyang, will lead Japan to lose leverage to press North Korea to resolve the abduction issue.
The summit to be held in Hokkaido will bring together leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States.
nuclear arsenal.
''We feel very encouraged. This is an issue that should be resolved between Japan and North Korea, but international opinion is also very important,'' Fukuda said when asked by reporters about Bush's remarks made during an interview with Japanese media prior to the Group of Eight summit in Japan.
Fukuda, who will chair next week's summit, also said there is a need to create an environment that would ''make resolution of the abduction issue easier'' and that he would like to cooperate with the G-8 leaders and gain understanding from them over the issue.
Separately, Sakie Yokota, whose daughter Megumi was abducted to North Korea in 1977 at the age of 13, said about Bush's remarks, ''While I have concern that it will not be so easy, I have a little hope.''
''I'd like countries in the world to become aware of the abduction issue and be unified to move North Korea even by a little,'' the 72-year-old Yokota said.
''I'd like Japan to actively speak out to other countries more than the United States does.''
During the interview on Wednesday, Bush said he believes the six-way talks are ''the best way to effect change in the North Korean regime'' over outstanding issues ranging from Pyongyang's nuclear drive to the abductions.
The comments came after the United States began steps to remove North Korea from its list of state sponsors of terrorism in reaction to the North's long-delayed declaration of its nuclear activities last month.
Concerns in Japan remain that the removal, a long-standing demand by Pyongyang, will lead Japan to lose leverage to press North Korea to resolve the abduction issue.
The summit to be held in Hokkaido will bring together leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States.
