US seeks peaceful solution to DPRK nuclear issue: Bush

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, October 19, 2003

US seeks peaceful solution to DPRK nuclear issue: Bush

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US President George W. Bush said Sunday in Bangkok that the United States has no intention of invading the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and will try to seek a peaceful solution to the nuclear issue of DPRK.

He was speaking to reporters following talks with Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The US president said that the United States would not sign a non-aggression treaty with DPRK.

"We will not have a treaty (with DPRK)...that's off the table," he added.

DRPK has repeatedly said that a signing of the non-aggression treaty should be a precondition for resolving the nuclear issue.

During the meeting, Bush promised that the United States will grant Thailand the non-NATO ally status.

As a non-NATO ally of the United States, Thailand will be eligible for priority delivery of defense materials, stockpiling US military hardware, and enjoy more intelligence gathering with the United States. It will also be able to participate in defense research and development programs with the United States.

The latest to join an exclusive club of countries that enjoy the privileged security relationship with the United States was the Philippines last month. Others include Japan, South Korea, Australia, Egypt, Israel and Argentina.

Bush arrived here on Saturday night to pay a state visit to Thailand before attending the Oct. 20-21 Economic Leaders Meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Bangkok.

As to the US-Thai free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, Bush said that if everything goes smoothly, formal talks on the FTA could begin as early as next year.

According to Thai reports, both sides have concluded 90-95 percent preliminary talks on the FTA.

The summit between Bush and Thaksin was held in the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, where Bush is staying, amid heavy security as the major road along the hotel has been sealed off since Saturday afternoon.

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