Japanese editorial excerpts -4-

Japan Policy & Politics, June 28, 2004

TOKYO, June 23 Kyodo

Selected editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

6-WAY TALKS, ROUND 3 (IHT/Asahi as translated from the Japanese-language Asahi Shimbun's editorial published June 22)

The third round of six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear ambitions starts Wednesday in Beijing following preliminary working-level sessions. To date, the United States and Japan have been demanding that Pyongyang dismantle its nuclear weapons program in a ''complete, verifiable and irreversible'' manner and abandon all nuclear development projects, including those for peaceful purposes.

North Korea insists on the right to use nuclear energy peacefully and is demanding compensation in return for freezing its nuclear program. Pyongyang denies it has a program to enrich uranium.

There is a deep rift between the two sides. Already, some observers are predicting that nothing significant will emerge from the talks in Beijing. We hope, however, that the delegates find a way to break the deadlock. Much depends on what the United States does.

It is, of course, North Korea that should be blamed for the situation. The country unilaterally withdrew from the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, expelled international nuclear inspectors and resumed its nuclear development program. By acting in such a reckless and provocative manner, Pyongyang brought international condemnation on itself. But simply reiterating that North Korea must first abandon its nuclear projects will not lead to progress.

Washington holds the key to untangling this sticky dilemma. North Korean leader Kim Jong Il expressed a strong desire for direct talks with the United States during his recent meeting with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

''I would like to sing songs (with U.S. President George W. Bush) until my voice becomes hoarse. I hope you will play the music for us,'' Kim was quoted as saying.

Kim was apparently hoping that Koizumi, who boasts close personal ties with Bush, would serve as a mediator between the two governments.

Koizumi conveyed Kim's message to Bush, who flatly rejected the overture on grounds North Korea is not to be trusted. Bush's antagonism toward Pyongyang leaves little room for Kim to maneuver. In Kim's eyes, Bush has no serious intention of negotiating with Pyongyang and is just waiting for a change or collapse of the regime.

(June 22)