JAPAN: Japan and North Korea ended two days of talks on normalising diplomatic ties here yesterday, but the meeting failed to produce results and highlighted a yawning diplomatic gap between the historic enemies.
Japan wanted North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons programme and to investigate and resolve the kidnapping of its citizens during the talks, which followed a landmark summit between Prime Minister Mr Junichiro Koizumi and North Korean leader Mr Kim Jong-Il on September 17th. But North Korea rejected both requests and warned it was running out of patience because of Tokyo's repeated demand for the truth about the kidnapping issue.
On the nuclear weapons programme, North Korea brushed off Japan, saying the matter should be resolved only through dialogue with the United States.Washington, however, has ruled out any high-level talks with Pyongyang after North Korea admitted it had a covert nuclear weapons programme. - (AFP)