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Japan Passes Bill on N. Korea Sanctions
Forecast for Tokyo tomorrow: couple inches of spittle from the southwest. Japanâs lower house passed a bill Thursday to make it easier to impose economic sanctions on North Korea, a step aimed at pressuring Pyongyang to hand over relatives of Japanese abducted decades ago. Backed by both the ruling and main opposition parties, the legislation passed easily with a majority of lawmakers standing in show of support. There was no official tally of the vote. Wow, parties working together. The bill does not mention North Korea, but lawmakers say it is aimed at the reclusive state. Not the Esquimouxan Republic? Officials in Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumiâs government also have said they donât have any plans to impose sanctions, but the government is trying to build pressure on North Korea to agree to talks on the abductions. "Economic sanctions are one tool of diplomacy," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said before the bill was passed. "It would be beneficial to have such a tool for policymaking." I wouldnât count on it, witness Iraq. And Cuba. The bill will go to the upper house for consideration next week. The legislation would enable Japan to take measures including banning imports of North Korean See, itâs already Posted by: Steve White 2004-01-29 |
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