Phnom Penh (dpa) - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen appealed to his North Korean counterpart Kim Yong Il to release remaining Japanese citizens abducted by that country nearly 30 years ago, a government spokesman said Thursday.
Spokesman Khieu Kanharith made the announcement while briefing journalists after the first day of talks between Kim, the Cambodian government and a 30-strong North Korean delegation, which includes the North Korean ministers of foreign trade, agriculture and culture.
"Cambodia is not the North Korean government,," Kanharith quoted Hun Sen as saying, "so we can only suggest. However we are also a friend of Japan, and when you release the hostages, I think relations between North Korea and Japan will improve rapidly."
Kanharith did not reveal Kim's answer to the proposal, but said Hun Sen was specific in suggesting 10 Japanese abductees remained in North Korea.
In 2002, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il admitted to North Korean abductions of Japanese citizens from Japan between 1977 and 1983, and five abductees were repatriated, although it is widely believed an unknown number remain behind.
Kim was more forthcoming on the issue of his country's relationship with the US. "When the US stops viewing us as an enemy, relations can commence," Kanharith quoted him as saying. No representative of the US greeted Kim and his delegation at the airport.
Kanharith said Hun Sen and Kim - who is not related to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il - had discussed mines and energy, with Hun Sen pledging increased Cambodian private investment in base metal mines in the reclusive communist state.
Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told reporters at the airport that talks would centre on trade, maritime transport, investment protection issues and cultural exchange.
Kim also signed agreements on shipping and trade with the Cambodian commerce and transport ministers Thursday. He is scheduled to meet with Senate and National Assembly leaders Chea Sim and Heng Samrin Friday.
Former king Norodom Sihanouk will host a gala banquet for the delegation Friday night inside the Royal Palace, according to the schedule, and King Norodom Sihamoni will also receive them for an audience before they fly north to Siem Reap to tour the ancient Angkor Wat temple complex Saturday and fly out Sunday.
Cambodia and North Korea have maintained cordial diplomatic relations and Sihanouk makes frequent trips to the reclusive communist state. His bodyguard unit is made up of some of North Korea's finest agents - a lifetime gift from the North Korean government.
When asked why Cambodia maintained such close links with a country accused of grave human rights abuses, Kanharith said Cambodia was a small country with a long history of diplomacy.
"Cambodia traditionally welcomes all guests who come to our home," he said.
Spokesman Khieu Kanharith made the announcement while briefing journalists after the first day of talks between Kim, the Cambodian government and a 30-strong North Korean delegation, which includes the North Korean ministers of foreign trade, agriculture and culture.
"Cambodia is not the North Korean government,," Kanharith quoted Hun Sen as saying, "so we can only suggest. However we are also a friend of Japan, and when you release the hostages, I think relations between North Korea and Japan will improve rapidly."
Kanharith did not reveal Kim's answer to the proposal, but said Hun Sen was specific in suggesting 10 Japanese abductees remained in North Korea.
In 2002, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il admitted to North Korean abductions of Japanese citizens from Japan between 1977 and 1983, and five abductees were repatriated, although it is widely believed an unknown number remain behind.
Kim was more forthcoming on the issue of his country's relationship with the US. "When the US stops viewing us as an enemy, relations can commence," Kanharith quoted him as saying. No representative of the US greeted Kim and his delegation at the airport.
Kanharith said Hun Sen and Kim - who is not related to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il - had discussed mines and energy, with Hun Sen pledging increased Cambodian private investment in base metal mines in the reclusive communist state.
Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told reporters at the airport that talks would centre on trade, maritime transport, investment protection issues and cultural exchange.
Kim also signed agreements on shipping and trade with the Cambodian commerce and transport ministers Thursday. He is scheduled to meet with Senate and National Assembly leaders Chea Sim and Heng Samrin Friday.
Former king Norodom Sihanouk will host a gala banquet for the delegation Friday night inside the Royal Palace, according to the schedule, and King Norodom Sihamoni will also receive them for an audience before they fly north to Siem Reap to tour the ancient Angkor Wat temple complex Saturday and fly out Sunday.
Cambodia and North Korea have maintained cordial diplomatic relations and Sihanouk makes frequent trips to the reclusive communist state. His bodyguard unit is made up of some of North Korea's finest agents - a lifetime gift from the North Korean government.
When asked why Cambodia maintained such close links with a country accused of grave human rights abuses, Kanharith said Cambodia was a small country with a long history of diplomacy.
"Cambodia traditionally welcomes all guests who come to our home," he said.
