Uploaded by C. Y. Lee on Saturday, April 1, 2006
U.S. envoy renews abduction commitment in letter to Yokotas
Friday March 31, 8:46 PM
(Kyodo) _ U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer has renewed the U.S. government's commitment to deal with the issue of North Korean abductions of Japanese in a letter sent to the parents of abductee Megumi Yokota and others.
"As I promised in Niigata, as long as I am the ambassador of the United States to Japan, I will continue to bring this issue up at the highest levels," Schieffer said in the letter, dated March 22, which reached the Yokotas and others Friday.
On March 16, Schieffer visited the spot in Niigata city on the Sea of Japan coast where Megumi was abducted at age 13 in 1977 and met with her father Shigeru and mother Sakie along with their supporters. He promised them that he would raise the issue with President George W. Bush.
"Your willingness to share with me the heartache you have endured there many years ago meant a great deal to me," Schieffer said.
"Walking the streets of Niigata just as Megumi did so many years ago really brought home to me the terrible pain these cruel actions have caused to not only the abductees but their loved ones left behind," he said.
Schieffer also sent the letter to some of the supporters including Ryutaro Hirata, secretary general of the National Association for the Rescue of Japanese Kidnapped by North Korea, the group said.
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03-31-2006, 07:42 PM
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