Japan,US propose 5-party talks on NKorea

Tokyo, Nov 6: Japan and the United States are proposing that foreign ministers from their two countries as well as China, South Korea and Russia meet in Hanoi next week on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific gathering to discuss North Korea's nuclear programme, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said today.

Aso made the remark after meeting US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns and US Undersecretary of State for Arms Control Security Robert Joseph.

North Korea, which conducted a nuclear test on October 9, agreed last week to rejoin six-party talks on its nuclear programmes after staying away for a year in protest at a US crackdown on its international finances. The talks bring together the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States.

Pyongyang's nuclear test drew worldwide condemnation and UN sanctions. China, North Korea's biggest backer, has backed the UN sanctions, which target trade with Pyongyang in large conventional weapons, weapons of mass destruction and luxury goods.

Reuters

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