Japan, US agree on need for verifying framework

Japan and the United States have agreed on the need to create a framework for closely verifying North Korea's nuclear programs through the 6-party talks.
Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and US President George W Bush talked over the telephone on Saturday night before the United States took the North off its list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Bush said the United States will continue efforts to get North Korea to abandon all of its existing nuclear programs.
Aso said Japan wants to closely cooperate with the United States at the 6-nation talks.
Bush said he has strong feelings about the abduction of Japanese nationals by North Korea. He said he has deep sympathy for the abductees' families and conveys his sincere hope to resolve the issue.
The Japanese government plans to work more closely with the United States and other nations concerned to step up pressure on the North so that the abductions issue will not be left unresolved.
2008/10/12 12:12
(From NHK)

Melamine found in animal feed in China

China has announced that the industrial chemical melamine has been detected in animal feed. Three companies are now under investigation.

Following the discovery of melamine-tainted milk products in China, the Chinese Agriculture Ministry has mobilized 40,000 people to investigate animal feed throughout the country.

The investigators found that three firms illegally added melamine to animal feed they produce. Police are now investigating the three firms.

These firms may have added melamine to animal feed to make the nutrition data look better, just as happened for tainted milk products.

Last year, when dogs and cats died in the United States after eating Chinese-made pet food containing melamine, China's government explained that this was an extraordinary case involving just 2 companies.

The discovery of melamine in animal feed in China suggests how widely the industrial chemical has been used in that country.
2008/10/05 15:38

(From NHK)