Japan PM raises North Korea nuclear programme with former Cuba leader

[HAVANA] Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the first Japanese leader to visit Communist-ruled Cuba, called for a strong and unified international response to North Korea's nuclear program in rare talks with former Cuban leader Fidel Castro on Thursday, a Japanese foreign ministry spokesman said.

Cuba is one of North Korea's few diplomatic allies, along with China, and a fellow member of the non-aligned movement formed in 1961 by states wanting to avoid siding with the United States or the Soviet Union.

North Korea has been testing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles at an unprecedented rate this year and claims it has mastered the ability to mount a warhead on a ballistic missile, a worrying prospect for neighbours South Korea and Japan.

"The PM pointed out the necessity (for) the international community to respond to this rigorously in unity," Japanese foreign ministry spokesman Yasuhisa Kawamura told reporters after Mr Abe's 70 minute meeting with Fidel Castro, the predecessor and elder brother of Cuban President Raul Castro.

Fidel Castro told Mr Abe the issue of Pyongyang's nuclear programme should be resolved peacefully through dialogue, Mr Kawamura said.

Mr Abe's visit to the Caribbean island is one of a slew by Western leaders since it began normalising ties with the United States nearly two years ago. US President Barack Obama visited Cuba in March. But it is unusual for a Western leader to meet Fidel Castro, who usually only sees close allies.

In an interview published in Cuba's Communist Party newspaper Granma on Thursday, Mr Abe said he wanted to discuss trade, investment, cooperating on development and strengthening tourism exchange during his visit.

"I also want to exchange opinions with a Cuba that holds great influence among the non-aligned countries about the reform of the United Nations Security Council, nuclear disarmament, the situation in Asia and other topics involving the international community," he was quoted as saying.

Mr Abe flew in to Cuba from New York, where he told the annual UN General Assembly on Wednesday that the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear programme this year was "substantially more serious" than it was in the past.

Japan has a long history of trade with Cuba, importing seafood, tobacco and coffee while exporting machinery.

Mr Abe said he hoped to expand that economic relationship in a new era heralded by Cuba's detente with the United States and business-friendly reforms.

"I believe firmly that Japanese companies can, as reliable partners, make a notable contribution to a Cuba that is updating its socio-economic model," Mr Abe said.

The reorganisation of Cuba's debt towards Japan, signed this week, should help towards that goal, he said. Cuba's other long-term trading partners have already used debt forgiveness, swaps and new financing to try to win investment opportunities on the island.

Japanese firms wanting to gain a foothold in the country of 11 million people ahead of their competitors have descended there en masse in recent months, scouting for openings.

Trading house Mitsubishi Corp opened a Havana office in July, telling Reuters it was keen to establish some infrastructure projects in Cuba which the Japanese government might help finance.

"I want to cooperate with Cuba, joining forces as much in the public sector as in the private one," Mr Abe said.

REUTERS