TOKYO, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney backed Japan's position of not providing aid to North Korea to fund a nuclear deal, a Tokyo news report said Wednesday.
Japan has ruled out any funding for last week's nuclear agreement until the communist North resolves its abduction of Japanese nationals. But other countries agreed to provide energy aid to North Korea in return for its nuclear disarmament.
During a visit to Tokyo, Cheney expressed understanding over Japan's position regarding the nuclear accord, according to Kyodo news agency. Cheney conveyed the U.S. stance to Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki during a breakfast meeting, it said.
Japan is increasingly falling into a dilemma on how to deal with North Korea following the Feb. 13 nuclear deal reached after the United States softened its stance toward the North.
