U.S. Ready to Talk to North

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U.S. Ready to Talk to North

WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush of the United States announced Wednesday that his administration would resume talks with North Korea, after a hiatus since the inauguration of the new administration.

Mr. Bush released a statement upon completion of his administration's review of its North Korea policies. He said, "I have directed my national security team to undertake serious discussions with North Korea."

He said the negotiating agenda should include "improved implementation of the Agreed Framework relating to North Korea's nuclear activities; verifiable constraints on North Korea's missile programs and a ban on its missile exports; and a less threatening conventional military posture."

He continued, "We will pursue these discussions in the context of a comprehensive ap-proach. ... If North Korea re-sponds affirmatively and takes appropriate action, we will ex-pand our efforts to help the North Korean people, ease sanctions, and take other political steps."

The statement also said that the United States "will seek to encourage progress toward North-South reconciliation, peace on the Korean Peninsula, a constructive relationship with the United States and greater stability in the region."

Mr. Bush had projected a hard-line stance, having said at summit talks with President Kim Dae-jung in March that he viewed National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il of the North and his regime with "skepticism." But his new policies embrace many of those of the former Clinton administration.

Secretary of State Colin Powell explained the new policies to South Korean Foreign Minister Han Seung-soo in Washington on Thursday and discussed the timing and agenda of U.S. talks with the North. Also discussed were how to make the talks complement inter-Korean dialogue and the second inter-Korean summit.

A diplomatic source in Washington predicted that talks between the North and the United States would resume in early July at the latest.

Park Joon-young, spokes-man for the Blue House, said on Thursday, "Our government welcomes the Bush administration's announcement that it has completed reviewing its North Korea policies and will work to hold serious discussions with the North."

He continued, "We value the fact that the review of its North Korea policies has been completed, based on close bilateral consultation and summit talks be-tween South Korea and the United States in March. ... We hope such close cooperation between South Korea and the United States will continue as the United States resumes talks with the North."



by Kim Jin

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