Japan calls North Korean boycott threat 'not constructive'
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-07 11:56

North Korea's threat to boycott six-party talks on its nuclear weapons program unless U.S. sanctions are lifted is "not constructive," a top Japanese government official said Wednesday.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said North Korea's complaints about U.S. financial sanctions on the country have nothing to do with the broader nuclear talks and should not be used to obstruct them.

"The North Korean position is bringing up a problem that is outside the framework of the six-party talks and is not constructive," Abe told reporters.

The United States targeted eight North Korean companies that it said acted as fronts for the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The United States also suspects North Korea of counterfeiting and money-laundering.

North Korea vehemently denies the allegations and threatened on Tuesday to boycott the six-nation talks unless Washington lifts the sanctions, which were imposed in October.

The talks _ launched in 2003 _ involve China, the United States, the two Koreas, Japan and Russia. The fifth and latest round recessed in November with no signs of progress. The parties agreed to meet again at an unspecified date.

North Korea says Washington agreed in the last round of talks in Beijing to hold negotiations on the sanctions. The U.S. denies making such an offer.