North cites Bush's belligerence as reason for refusing to talk

North Korea has again rejected a U.S. offer for talks, a South Korean government official said Tuesday.

"Edward Dong, director of the U.S. State Department's Office of Korean Affairs, telephoned Ri Gun, North Korea's deputy ambassador to the United Nations, earlier this month and proposed a meeting," said the Seoul official, who wished to remain unidentified.

North Korea's representation to the United Nations in New York is the only official contact point between Pyeongyang and Washington.

North Korea's Foreign Ministry officially stated on Feb. 22 that Pyeongyang has no intention of talking with the United States. North Korea watchers say the diplomatic chill between Pyeongyang and Washington is unlikely to thaw soon.

During the telephone conversation, Mr. Dong reportedly proposed a meeting to Mr. Ri, for the purpose of delivering Washington's stance on resuming talks with North Korea. U.S. President George W. Bush and senior government officials have repeatedly said that the United States is willing to sit down at the negotiating table with North Korea at any time and in any place for unconditional talks.

Mr. Ri reportedly declined the U.S. proposal, citing Mr. Bush's denunciation of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

"Telephone contact between the U.S. State Department and Pyeongyang's envoys in New York is still available," the South Korean government source added. "But there has been no meaningful contact since the February Kim-Bush summit."

by Oh Young-hwan