Peru opens relations with North Korea
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This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from November 1989.
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Unofficial reports said this week that Prime Minister Guillermo Larco Cox submitted his resignation unexpectedly for reasons connected to the announcement, but Garcia denied that Larco Cox had quit.
A government communique released said Peru and North Korea will exchange ambassadors following an accord signed last December between the two countries.
Writer Mario Vargas Llosa, who is favoured in the polls to win next April's presidential elections, has criticised the move. The Democratic Front, a coalition of parties supporting Vargas Llosa, has taken out newspaper ads calling North Korea a "terrorist state," and saying the decision will "compromise and tie the hands of the next government."
In a news conference, Vargas Llosa said the decision "prejudices our relations with South Korea." If elected, he said he would immediately break off relations with North Korea.
Some critics said Garcia decided to open ties with North Korea as a snub to Vargas Llosa. who received a warm reception in South Korea on a recent trip there. Vargas Llosa is campaigning on a platform of economic reforms and promoting foreign investment, and has mentioned the South Korean economy as a model.
The Garcia government has done limited business with the North Koreans. The Peruvian police force uses automatic rifles purchased from the Communist nation.
Larco Cox, who also serves as Peru's foreign minister, was named by Garcia to be prime minister 30 Sept. It is the second time Larco Cox served as Garcia's prime minister.
His resignation was reported on the respected news radio station Radio Programas. Reporters for the station said Larco Cox told them he was resigning for personal reasons.
But in a message released by the official news agency Andina, Garcia said, "It is a rumour totally unfounded." Garcia said Larco Cox did not attend a cabinet meeting for "health reasons," and attributed rumours concerning his resignation to his absence from the meeting.
The Garcia government has come under criticism since the governing Arrista party suffered a severe defeat in the nationwide municipal elections 12 Nov.
