More efforts needed for peaceful settlement of North Korea issue: JCP Shii

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on a TV program aired on September 11 reiterated the JCP's call on the Japanese government to increase diplomatic efforts to achieve a peaceful solution to the North Korean issue.

Asked to comment on the six-party talks held in Beijing August 27-29 to discuss North Korea's nuclear development program, Shii stated:

"I think the six-party talks marked a very important first step in that negotiators from six countries sat together and agreed on six points compiled by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the end of the talks as their common understanding.

"In the six-point agreement, the negotiators agreed that North Korea's nuclear issue should be resolved peacefully through negotiations, that the parties refrain from taking any action that could worsen the situation, that they promote the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and take North Korea's security into consideration. I hope that the six-parties maintain the six-point agreement and continue talks to achieve results.

"The most important task is for the international community to prevent a war from breaking out on the Korean Peninsula. To our regret, the danger of war persists in this area. One side is playing with brinkmanship with nuclear weapons, and the other side calling the former an 'axis of evil' and declaring a preemptive attack strategy."

Key to the solution

Concerning the six-point agreement Shii said:

"It is reported that they published a common recognition. Although this appears to represent a certain process in their diplomacy, each point Wang set forth shows a reasonable and constructive direction towards resolving the North Korean issue. This is why I want to see the six nations continue the talks and achieve concrete results."

Shii also pointed out some serious issues concerning North Korea as follows:

"One is that nuclear weapons development is the most dangerous option for North Korea itself. The more it pushes ahead with this, the further it will be isolated in the world, causing a catastrophe to itself. Parties concerned must convince North Korea through diplomatic channels that the surest way for ensuring the security of a nation is to be accepted by the international community as a full member.

"In joining the international community, North Korea must settle a series of lawless acts it has committed in the past, including abduction of foreign citizens.

"The other is that the world must prevent the U.S. preemptive strike strategy from being invoked against North Korea. The worst option regarding the North Korea issue is to continue with the vicious circle of rivalry between North Korea playing its nuclear card and the United States with its first strike strategy. The six participating nations in the Beijing talks including the United States and North Korea, must exercise restraint to prevent military confrontation from breaking out."

Abduction issue is a key factor to settle N Korea's lawless actions

Answering questions about North Korea's abduction of Japanese citizens, Shii said:

"There can be various approaches to this issue under negotiations. Let's remember that North Korea's abduction issue is one of North Korea's actions in violation of international law, in addition to the bomb explosion incident in Rangoon and the explosion of the KAL aircraft. North Korea has apologized for the abductions, though still inadequate.

"If the abduction issue is dealt with as one of the serious international crimes committed by North Korea, it can be resolved through international efforts as a common issue and not simply as an issue to be dealt with bilaterally between Japan and North Korea.

"And if the abduction issue is taken up in this way, it will help the Japanese side make positive efforts based on reason.

"Anyway, we must call for the peaceful solution of all questions concerning North Korea." (end)