NKorea considering quitting Asia security forum - Japan source
07.28.2006, 03:57 AM
KUALA LUMPUR (XFN-ASIA) - North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam-Sun warned
that his country may consider withdrawing from Asia's top security forum
after being criticized here, Japanese officials said.
His comment came after the North was condemned for its missile tests and
nuclear program at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), one of the few diplomatic
forums it attends, a Japanese foreign ministry official said.
Paek told the closed-door session of the 26-nation gathering: 'North Korea
may reconsider whether it should stay in ARF,' according to the official who
spoke to Agence France-Presse.
The North has shunned diplomatic efforts led by China and South Korea for it
to attend an informal session here of stalled six-nation talks on its
nuclear program, which it has boycotted since November.
Instead, there will be 10-nation talks without North Korea today on the
sideline of the main meeting, bringing together the US and Asian powers,
which are expected to focus on Pyongyang's activities.
http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2006/07/28/afx2911096.html
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