2ND LD: Ban, Nakasone agree possession of nukes by N. Korea unacceptable+

TOKYO, June 30 Kyodo -
(EDS: ADDING INFO)
Visiting U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and Japanese Foreign Minister
Hirofumi Nakasone agreed Tuesday that the possession of nuclear weapons by
North Korea is unacceptable and it is necessary for U.N. member states to
implement the U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at punishing Pyongyang,
they said.
Referring to his planned visit to Myanmar following his trip to Japan, Ban said
at a joint press conference in Tokyo after his talks with Nakasone that he will
convey ''strongly'' to the military-ruled country's authorities the
international community's concern over the detention of pro-democracy leader
Aung San Suu Kyi.
Nakasone said that humanitarian issues are a ''domestic problem'' for Myanmar,
but expressed willingness to press the Myanmar government through Japanese
diplomatic channels for a peaceful resolution.
Ban arrived in Japan earlier in the day for a three-day visit during which he
is also expected to meet with Prime Minister Taro Aso. The visit is Ban's third
to Japan since he became chief of the world body in 2007.
On North Korea, Nakasone told the press conference that he shared with Ban
''the recognition that we must respond firmly to this (North Korea's nuclear
test in May) and that we cannot accept North Korea's possession of nuclear
weapons.''
Ban, for his part, warned that North Korea should ''fully comply'' with the new
U.N. Security Council resolution, which includes stricter enforcement of
inspections of North Korean cargo, and that ''member states of the United
Nations should fully cooperate so that this resolution should be able to be
implemented.''
Nakasone said he also told Ban that the human rights situation in North Korea,
including the issue of its abductions of Japanese nationals, is ''serious'' and
sought cooperation from the United Nations in Japan's efforts to seek a
resolution on such issues.
During their talks, Nakasone conveyed Japan's desire for a permanent seat on
the U.N. Security Council and expressed expectations of Ban's leadership
regarding reform of the council, he told the press conference.
On Myanmar, Ban said he is aware of the sensitivity of the timing of his visit,
with Suu Kyi on trial, but added, ''I'll try to use this visit as an
opportunity to raise the strongest possible terms and convey the concerns of
the international community of the United Nations to the highest authorities of
the Myanmar government.''
Ban said that he will urge junta leader Senior Gen. Than Shwe and others to
release all political prisoners, including Suu Kyi, call for the resumption of
dialogue between the government and opposition leaders and stress the need to
create conditions conducive to credible elections.
Elections are due to be held next year.
The United Nations announced Monday that Ban will visit Myanmar on Friday and
Saturday, where Suu Kyi is on trial on charges of violating the terms of her
house arrest after an uninvited American swam to and stayed in her house.
Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate and leader of the National League for Democracy, has
long been held under house arrest or in jail. She faces up to five years in
jail if convicted of breaking the terms of her detention.
Meanwhile, Ban and Nakasone also agreed on the need to make the growing
momentum toward nuclear disarmament ''a global and sustainable'' move, as well
as on the need to bring into force the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty at an
early date, Nakasone said.
Climate change issues and the situation in Sri Lanka were also touched on
during their more than two hours of talks, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official
said.
On Wednesday, the former South Korean foreign minister plans to meet with Aso
and main opposition Democratic Party of Japan leader Yukio Hatoyama. He will
also meet with Japanese business leaders as well as university students the
same day.
==Kyodo
2009-06-30 23:37:37