ID :
205634
Wed, 09/07/2011 - 00:48
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/205634
The shortlink copeid
(LEAD) No sign of progress on N. Korea talks yet: State Dept.
(LEAD) No sign of progress on N. Korea talks yet: State Dept.
(ATTN: UPDATES with details from 6th para)
By Lee Chi-dong
WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 (Yonhap)-- The United States has not seen any indication yet that North Korea is prepared for further dialogue, a Washington official said Tuesday, following a report that South Korea's chief nuclear envoy will visit Washington this week.
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the three-day trip by Wi Sung-lac starting on Wednesday is part of "regular" consultations between the allies on the North.
"We have not seen signs, as yet, from North Korea that it's prepared to meet the conditions we've set forward," she said at a press briefing, when asked about a possibility of additional talks with Pyongyang in the near future.
The North and the U.S. had rare high-level talks in July in New York on denuclearization and bilateral relations.
Washington is apparently weighing an additional round of meetings but made clear that the North should first take goodwill steps, reportedly including the suspension of its uranium enrichment program and a moratorium on nuclear testing.
Nuland dismissed speculation that Wi's visit may be associated with Washington's plan to hold further talks with North Korea soon or reopen the six-party nuclear negotiations.
"This is part of our regular, ongoing close consultations with South Korea on these issues," she said.
Wi is scheduled to meet with Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns, Assistant Secretary of for East Asia-Pacific Kurt Campbell, Stephen Bosworth, special representative for North Korea, and Robert Einhorn, special adviser for nonproliferation and arms control, she added.
"These meetings are designed to make sure that we stay together on these essential issues," Nuland said. "Why don't we let these consultations go forward and see where we are?
In a summit with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev last month, the North's leader, Kim Jong-il, said his regime wants to restart the six-way talks and may impose a moratorium on nuclear testing.
U.S. and South Korean officials are calling for action, not words, however.
Nuland reiterated that Washington wants to see inter-Korean relations improve as well.
She said there is no update on a possible food aid for the North.
lcd@yna.co.kr
leechidong@gmail.com
(END)
(ATTN: UPDATES with details from 6th para)
By Lee Chi-dong
WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 (Yonhap)-- The United States has not seen any indication yet that North Korea is prepared for further dialogue, a Washington official said Tuesday, following a report that South Korea's chief nuclear envoy will visit Washington this week.
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the three-day trip by Wi Sung-lac starting on Wednesday is part of "regular" consultations between the allies on the North.
"We have not seen signs, as yet, from North Korea that it's prepared to meet the conditions we've set forward," she said at a press briefing, when asked about a possibility of additional talks with Pyongyang in the near future.
The North and the U.S. had rare high-level talks in July in New York on denuclearization and bilateral relations.
Washington is apparently weighing an additional round of meetings but made clear that the North should first take goodwill steps, reportedly including the suspension of its uranium enrichment program and a moratorium on nuclear testing.
Nuland dismissed speculation that Wi's visit may be associated with Washington's plan to hold further talks with North Korea soon or reopen the six-party nuclear negotiations.
"This is part of our regular, ongoing close consultations with South Korea on these issues," she said.
Wi is scheduled to meet with Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns, Assistant Secretary of for East Asia-Pacific Kurt Campbell, Stephen Bosworth, special representative for North Korea, and Robert Einhorn, special adviser for nonproliferation and arms control, she added.
"These meetings are designed to make sure that we stay together on these essential issues," Nuland said. "Why don't we let these consultations go forward and see where we are?
In a summit with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev last month, the North's leader, Kim Jong-il, said his regime wants to restart the six-way talks and may impose a moratorium on nuclear testing.
U.S. and South Korean officials are calling for action, not words, however.
Nuland reiterated that Washington wants to see inter-Korean relations improve as well.
She said there is no update on a possible food aid for the North.
lcd@yna.co.kr
leechidong@gmail.com
(END)
