WORLD IN BRIEF

Korean PENINSULA

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Meeting of Premiers Stresses Economic Ties

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The prime ministers of North and South Korea launched their first talks in 15 years on a harmonious note Wednesday in Seoul, seeking to build on plans for economic cooperation devised at a summit of their leaders last month.

South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo called for "immediate implementation of projects that can be carried out soon" as he began meetings with his North Korean counterpart, Kim Yong Il, South Korean Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung said.

This week's negotiations, which end Friday, are to focus mainly on economic cooperation, including setting up a shared fishing area around the two Koreas' disputed western sea border and establishing a joint economic area on North Korea's southwestern coast.

iran

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Nuclear Negotiator Charged With Passing Secrets

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Iran's government announced Wednesday that it has charged a former senior nuclear negotiator, Hossein Mousavian, with passing classified information to the West.

The charges appear to be an attempt by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to push back against pressure for a softer nuclear policy and to discredit his growing political opposition.

He has sought to take more direct control of Iran's nuclear negotiations with the United Nations but has faced a backlash from critics, including top conservatives, who say his rejection of compromise has deepened the country's troubles.

somalia

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Mogadishu Mayor Defends Media Crackdown

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Mogadishu's mayor on Wednesday defended a government crackdown on Somali media that has been condemned by rights groups, saying three radio stations were closed this week because they were spreading lies.

"These three radio stations have been closed down because they have no permit. We told them repeatedly to get the official documents, but they ignored the government notification," Mayor Mohamed Dheere said.

Dheere, a former warlord, also accused the private stations of undermining national security by fabricating reports that the presidential palace had been hit by mortar fire.