2005.03.03

UN-DPRK Human Rights (VOA) North Korea urged to respond to Japan's pleas for a total accounting of the missing believed abducted by agents of the communist state during the Cold War. 2005.03.03

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Japan-Racism [Mainichi] A Japanese version of Little Black Sambo will be revived. 2005.03.03

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USA Deserter Applies for American Passport (AP). Charles Robert Jenkins, who spent nearly 40 years in North Korea after abandoning his U.S. Army unit in 1965, visited the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo today to apply for an American passport. 2005.03.03

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Japan to terminate aid to PRC by 2008 Beijing Olympics (AFP). Japan plans to terminate its main form of aid to China by 2008 when Beijing is to host the Olympic Games given its neighbor's growing economic and military power. 2005.03.03

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DPRK Threatens to Hold Missile Tests (Reuters). Japan, prepare for incoming: North Korea threatens to resume long-range missile testing and demands the United States apologize for calling the country "an outpost of tyranny." 2005.03.03

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FIRED FACTORY WORKERS TURN TO TRICKS (Marianas Variety) There has been a sudden increase in prostitution activities in Garapan following the recent shutdown of three garment factories, according to Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente. Benavente, the former head of the anti-prostitution task force, said authorities have noted a sudden increase in the number of women suspected of engaging in prostitution. “It seems that their number is continually increasing,” Benavente told Variety. “The women that we see running around Garapan — we’re trying to figure out where they are coming from.” Benavente said the Attorney General’s Office and other law enforcement agencies, are constantly monitoring Garapan in an effort to stamp out prostitution. “The AGO, once again, through the help of other law enforcement agencies, is going to Garapan because of the increase of problems again...and we’re getting to the root of the problem,” he said. Most prostitutes on Saipan are believed to be garment workers. 2005.03.03

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Rarotonga braces for Cyclone Percy (AFP). The Cook Islands' main island of Rarotonga is battening down as Cyclone Percy continued to batter the tiny South Pacific nation. 2005.03.03

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Japan-Seibu (Kyodo) UPDATED One of Japan's wealthiest men is arrested. 2005.03.03

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DPRK demands USA apology for "outpost of tyranny" jibe (AFP). North Korea demands the United States apologize for calling it part of an "axis of evil" and an "outpost of tyranny," urging Washington to provide the right conditions for a return to six-party talks on its nuclear drive. 2005.03.03

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DPRK-Investment [IHT] For the brave, North Korea makes increasingly good business sense. 2005.03.03

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Top PRC Aide Says New Dynamic in DPRK Nuke Talks (Reuters). China's top nuclear negotiator says  there is a new dynamic in talks to end North Korea's nuclear ambitions. 2005.03.03

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Japan's leprosy policy denounced. [BBC News ] An inquiry concludes Japan's treatment of leprosy sufferers amounted to unprecedented rights abuse. 2005.03.03

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USA, ROK to stage week-long war games (AFP). US and South Korean troops will launch joint military exercises this month as part of annual war games designed to deter Stalinist North Korea. 2005.03.03

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