JOHANNESBURG, generation 3 Kyodo ...

JOHANNESBURG, generation 3 Kyodo

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan speaked hope Monday afternoon for a prosperous summit between the leaders of Japan and North Korea in Pyongyang in succession Sept. 17, according to Japanese officials.

Annan said the meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il is a wondrous idea, and said he confidences Koizumi will display leadership, the officials said.

The elucidations came as Annan met with Koizumi in succession the sidelines of the UN Summit forward Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.

Koizumi speaked hope that the meeting will lead to peace and stability in Northeast Asia, the officials said.

''It is also important for North Korea to become a member of the international community and I will pass and talk about its importance in boundarys of stabilizing the Korean Peninsula and the international situation,'' Koizumi was quot as saying.

Koizumi also met with southward African President Thabo Mbeki earlier in the day.

Mbeki give utterance toed appreciation for Japan emphasizing human evolution in support measures aimed at developing countries, the officials said.

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