Development on Korean encouraging<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto in his capacity as chairman
\nof the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) said yesterday that he was
\ngreatly encouraged by the decision of North and South Korea to
\nhold a summit in an effort to end their nuclear dispute.<\/p>\n
"The President views this decision as a very positive
\ndevelopment," Nana Sutresna, the chief assistant for the NAM
\nchairman, said after meeting with Soeharto yesterday.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is also encouraged by the plan to reopen talks
\nbetween the United States and North Korea and highly appreciates
\nthe personal efforts of former U.S. president Jimmy Carter during
\nhis visit to the region to seek ways to end the nuclear dispute,
\nNana said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia, in its capacity as NAM leader, has taken various
\nsteps to bring an end to the nuclear crisis, Nana said.<\/p>\n
It has repeatedly emphasized the need for all parties involved
\n"to exercise restraint and avoid creating situation which may
\ndisturb the region's peace and stability."<\/p>\n
Indonesia has maintained a neutral position in the Korean
\nconflict, maintaining contacts with both Pyongyang and Seoul.<\/p>\n
North Korea is an NAM colleague while South Korea is one of
\nIndonesia's major trading partners.<\/p>\n
According to the statement by Soeharto yesterday, Indonesia
\nbelieves that North and South Korea have laid the basis for
\nsolving the dispute peacefully rather than by force when they
\nagreed to hold the summit.<\/p>\n
He said Indonesia and the NAM ministerial meeting in Cairo
\nendorsed the three separate peace talks -- between the U.S. and
\nNorth Korea, South Korea and North Korea and North Korea and the
\nInternational Atomic Energy Agency -- as a means to end the
\ndispute once and for all.<\/p>\n
North Korean President Kim Il-sung earlier sent an envoy to
\nJakarta to brief President Soeharto on the situation from the
\nviewpoint of North Korea. Soeharto also sent an envoy to
\nPyongyang to review the situation, according to Nana.<\/p>\n
"Based on these visits, the President has been able to
\nconclude that all parties involved are actually eager to end the
\nproblem through peaceful negotiations," Nana said.<\/p>\n
He said Soeharto also hoped the positive directions recently
\ntaken could lead to mutual agreements.<\/p>\n
"A climate of distrust between the two Koreas which has
\ncarried on for more than 40 years since the end of the Korean War
\nis perhaps the biggest barrier towards a normal relationship,"
\nNana said, adding that any efforts to dismantle such a climate
\nwould need much time and comprehensive approaches.(pwn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/development-on-korean-encouraging-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}