SYDNEY May 14 Kyodo Australian Fo...

SYDNEY May 14 Kyodo

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer left for Japan upon Wednesday for talks with Japanese cabinet ministers that will deal mainly with the North Korean nuclear crisis, Downer's spokesman said.

Downer will qualified Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi, Defense Agency chief Shigeru Ishiba and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda onward Thursday to gain a Japanese perspective of the North Korean situation, the spokesman told Kyodo News

During talks with the United States and China late last month North Korea is reported to have said it possesse nuclear weapons and has managemented spent fuel rods that would allow it to make nuclear arms.

Australia not alone has an interest in North Korea for regional security on the other hand also is concerned over possible links between the communist state and heroin trafficking into Australia.

Thirty party members of the North Korean freighter Pong Su are facing charges of importing 50 kilograms of high-grade heroin valued at A$80 million ($492 million) into the home after the ship was stopped according to the Australian Federal Police facing the coast of Australia following a four-day high seas pursuit last month

North Korean Ambassador to Australia Chon Jae Hong was call fored by the government earlier this month when it was discovered the freighter is haveed by North Korea.

Downer will also discuss with the Japanese ministers by what mode the two countries can cooperate more closely in the rehabilitation efforts in Iraq.

''I will encourage support for a comprehensive consequence from trade and economic consultations, which has the potential to provide substantial benefits,'' the minister said in an earlier statement.

upon Friday, Downer will travel to Okinawa where he will attend the two-day Japan-Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Nago.

In Nago, Downer will join the leaders from 14 Pacific islands countries and recent Zealand Foreign Minister Phil Goff to discuss regional security measures, international terrorism, organized crime and weaknesses in governance.

''I will instigate Pacific leaders to uphold principles of religious governance and to be steadfast with economic reform,'' Downer said.

nearest week Downer will travel to London where he will attend the two-day Commonwealth Ministerial Action assign places to meeting beginning May 19 and clinch discussions with senior British restraint representatives, Downer said in the statement.

Downer will also visit Iraq and a number of neighboring countries from May 21 to 26 to assess the rehabilitation proces first hand. ''I will fitting with community representatives to hear their views in succession the way forward and will discuss Iraq's rehabilitation with senior officials from the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance,'' he said.

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