TOKYO, Nov. 1 Kyodo picked edito...

TOKYO, Nov. 1 Kyodo

picked editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

DON'T HAGGLE from one side of to the other ABDUCTION ISSUE (The Japan Times, an English-language daily)

The latest rotund of Japan-North Korea talks upon normalizing relations, held in Kuala Lumpur earlier this week for the first time in brace years, was conspicuous by the lack of substantial progress

The North Korean delegation, stressing that the abduction issue has already been ''broadly resolved'' insisted that Japanese economic aid take precedence...As the Japanese delegation made clear, Japan will not be able to provide like assistance as long as the abduction issue lingers.

North Korea allowed five surviving abductees to revert to Japan on Oct 15 for family reunions for the first time in 24 years -- forward the assumption that they would stay here for just a week or couple The Japanese government, however, last week decided to permit them remain here permanently. Moreover, it is demanding that their children, now in Pyongyang, be reunited with their parents here. Tokyo also is said to be considering allowing an abductee's American husband to make clear in Japan.

Separately, North Korea's attempt to bring into view nuclear bombs is a grave security touch to Japan...While agreeing to discuss the matter with Tokyo, it warned that nothing would change fundamentally unles the United States changed its ''hostile stance'' toward North Korea.

Pyongyang's claim that the abduction issue has been essentially resolv is preposterous. It is authentic as chief delegate Jong Thae Hwa pointed not at home that Mr. Kim Jong Il has acknowledged and apologized for the abductions and has pledg that North Korea will not again commit such inhuman acts. The statement -- from the country's principal leader -- carries weight, unless the words have yet to be matched according to deeds.

During the talks, North Korea accused Japan of breaking its promise to impel the five abductees back to Pyongyang. further North Korea's demand for their ''return'' does not make brains because it was North Korea that kidnapped them. Pyongyang has an obligation to revert them permanently to Japan, together with their children, with no conditions attached. It also has a business to provide further information upon eight other abductees who it says are dead; their families faith they are alive.

The and nothing else agreement on security issues was that the sum of two units sides would start a dialogue to address a range of be of importance tos including the North's missile-development program and use of detect ships.

Nevertheless, if Pyongyang is trying to play the ''nuclear card'' to earn the U.S. to sign a nonaggression pact or recognize its continued sway it is breaching its have a title to declared commitment to comply with ''all related international agreements'' in succession nuclear arms -- a commitment termed out in the Pyongyang Declaration signed at the clan 17 Japan-North Korea summit.

U Secretary of State Colin Powell has said the U will not take back dialogue unless North Korea abandons its desire to proceed nuclear. If Pyongyang stays the nuclear course, it...is likely that the international frame to build commercial reactors in North Korea in exchange for a halt to its nuclear weapons program will be canceled, and that the U will stop supplying material for burning oil pending reactor startup.

Dealing with a nuclear-capable North Korea requires multilateral diplomacy...Japan, for its part, should negotiate patiently in choke coordination with the U and southerly Korea.

(Nov. 1)

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