ID :
207460
Thu, 09/15/2011 - 23:03
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/207460
The shortlink copeid
U.S. concerned about impact from N. Korea-Russia military ties
WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 (Yonhap) -- The United States on Thursday expressed thinly veiled concern about closer military ties between North Korea and Russia, saying it should not "distract" from efforts to denuclearize the communist Asian nation.
"Any engagement with the North Koreans should be conducted in a way that does not detract from the international community's clear message of concern about the North???s weapons programs, and the necessity for Pyongyang to do what is necessary to return to the Six-Party talks," the State Department said in a press release.
It was responding to reports that North Korea and Russia have agreed to hold joint naval exercises next year, an apparent result of summit talks between the North's leader, Kim Jong-il, and President Dmitry Medvedev in August.
The department said it is aware of the reports but refused to give more details on its position.
"We refer you to the Russian government for details of what those exercises might entail," it said.
In a background briefing for reporters, meanwhile, a senior department official said Washington is still waiting for a "clear signal" from Pyongyang in connection with initial steps to resume full-fledged dialogue.
The two sides had high-level talks in New York in late July that U.S. officials said were aimed at testing the North's seriousness about negotiations on denuclearization.
The official said on the customary condition of anonymity that the U.S. laid down very clearly three steps on nuclear, missile and inter-Korean relations.
"I think it would be fair to say that we are still awaiting a clear signal from Pyongyang about what their response is to our overall proposals," the official said.
In the New York talks, the U.S. demanded the North suspend its uranium enrichment program, place a moratorium on missile testing and improve ties with the South, according to informed sources.
The sources said the Obama administration may send Stephen Bosworth, special representative for North Korea policy, to Pyongyang this year for additional talks.
"Even if it decides to do so, however, it would be difficult to dispatch Ambassador Bosworth there before (South Korean) President Lee Myung-bak's state visit to the U.S. in the middle of next month," a source said.
"Any engagement with the North Koreans should be conducted in a way that does not detract from the international community's clear message of concern about the North???s weapons programs, and the necessity for Pyongyang to do what is necessary to return to the Six-Party talks," the State Department said in a press release.
It was responding to reports that North Korea and Russia have agreed to hold joint naval exercises next year, an apparent result of summit talks between the North's leader, Kim Jong-il, and President Dmitry Medvedev in August.
The department said it is aware of the reports but refused to give more details on its position.
"We refer you to the Russian government for details of what those exercises might entail," it said.
In a background briefing for reporters, meanwhile, a senior department official said Washington is still waiting for a "clear signal" from Pyongyang in connection with initial steps to resume full-fledged dialogue.
The two sides had high-level talks in New York in late July that U.S. officials said were aimed at testing the North's seriousness about negotiations on denuclearization.
The official said on the customary condition of anonymity that the U.S. laid down very clearly three steps on nuclear, missile and inter-Korean relations.
"I think it would be fair to say that we are still awaiting a clear signal from Pyongyang about what their response is to our overall proposals," the official said.
In the New York talks, the U.S. demanded the North suspend its uranium enrichment program, place a moratorium on missile testing and improve ties with the South, according to informed sources.
The sources said the Obama administration may send Stephen Bosworth, special representative for North Korea policy, to Pyongyang this year for additional talks.
"Even if it decides to do so, however, it would be difficult to dispatch Ambassador Bosworth there before (South Korean) President Lee Myung-bak's state visit to the U.S. in the middle of next month," a source said.
