Shinzo Abe

The North's official media has criticized Tokyo's plans to raise the abductions at six-country talks scheduled for July 26 in Beijing.

The talks, which also include the United States, China, Russia and South Korea, aim to halt Pyongyang's nuclear programs.

Shinzo Abe, a top official of the Liberal-Democratic Party, said Tokyo should push for the issue to be added to the meeting's agenda despite Pyongyang's opposition.

"If our country can't press North Korea about the kidnappings, the six-party meeting will be meaningless for us," Abe told 1,200 people at a rally for relatives of abduction victims.

Japanese officials have said they want to have a meeting with North Korean delegates to discuss the abductions issue on the sidelines of the six-party talks.

The Japan Times Weekly: July 23, 2005
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