North Korea's rocket launch is regrettable ? JCP Chair Shii

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

North Korea's rocket launch is regrettable ? JCP Chair Shii

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on April 5 published the following statement expressing regret over North Korea's rocket launch on the same day:

"The JCP has urged North Korea to exercise restraint regarding its announced plan to launch a rocket. It is regrettable that North Korea took the recent action that will increase tensions and threaten the peace and stability in the region.

The JCP will publish its view on the matter after identifying the projectile that was launched. In dealing with this issue, it is essential for the international community to continue diplomatic efforts to achieve the goal of having North Korea give up its nuclear programs and to make every effort to get the Six Party Talks moving again."

Asked by reporters about relations between the rocket launch and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolution, Shii said:

"The JCP does not support the view that North Korea launched the rocket in violation of the relevant UNSC resolution and that North Korea should be sanctioned further even if it was aimed at putting a satellite into orbit. This view will be an obstacle to the diplomatic effort to force North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons programs. At this time I want to stress that it is important to have North Korea give up its nuclear programs and that every effort should be focused on achieving this goal."

- Akahata, April 6, 2009