61.   Japan has been rejecting Russian demands to pay for the fishing rights, arguing that payment would amount to recognizing Russian sovereignty over the disputed islands.

62.   Japan has rejected Russian demands to pay for fishing rights, arguing that such payment would amount to recognizing Russian sovereignty over the disputed islands.

63.   Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto discussed the disputed islands at his meeting with Russian President Boris Yeltsin during the Denver Group of Eight Summit last month.

64.   Just several years ago, Japan withheld such aid because of the disputed islands.

65.   Japan and South Korea signed an agreement Saturday that sets new fishing boundaries and quotas, easing tensions over rights to waters around disputed islands.

66.   Japan has been rejecting Russian demands to pay for the fishing rights, arguing that would amount to recognizing Russian sovereignty over the disputed islands.

67.   Kono voiced concern over Russian patrol boats shooting at and detaining Japanese fishing boats operating in the waters close to the disputed islands.

68.   Korelsky said any fishing agreement should be made on the assumption that Moscow possess sovereignty over the four disputed islands, according to the agency.

69.   Kozyrev told reporters prior to his departure for Moscow that the meeting in Moscow will discuss fishing rights around the disputed islands off northern Japan.

70.   Last month, a smaller flotilla of protest boats from Hong Kong reached the disputed islands.