TOKYO, MAY 17, SPA -- U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN CALLED ON WEDNESDAY FOR «SOME IMPORTANT GESTURES» TO IMPROVE STRAINED RELATIONS BETWEEN JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA. ANNAN, WHO WAS IN SOUTH KOREA EARLIER THIS WEEK, SAIDAFTER MEETING WITH JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER JUNICHIROKOIZUMI IN TOKYO THAT THE TWO COUNTRIES WERE READY TOBOLSTER TIES. «AFTER THIS CONVERSATION, I HAVE A FEELING THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN,» ANNAN TOLD REPORTERS AT KOIZUMI’S OFFICE. «IT MAY REQUIRE SOME IMPORTANT GESTURES TO EASE THE WAY FORWARD AND REMOVE THE IMPEDIMENTS.» --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/361701