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US Says Ties with DPRK Depends on Concerned Issues
The United States said Thursday that it supported establishment of diplomatic relations between Britain and Germany and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and expected to follow suit if progress could be made in talks between Washington and Pyongyang on missiles and nuclear weapons.
"We think it's good that North Korea is establishing these relationships," State Department spokesman Richard Baucher said at a briefing.
"We also, in general, have expressed very strong support for...this idea that North Korea is establishing relationships around the world, that others are looking for what they can do with North Korea," he added.
Britain and Germany announced their plans for the establishment earlier Thursday.
Asked when Washington would establish relations with Pyongyang, Boucher said it was part of a step-by-step process.
"First and foremost, what we're looking for out of this is steps on the key issues that we've been concerned about -- on missiles, on nuclear weapons, on terrorism.
"So as we make progress on the issues, we will build a better relationship with the North, and it's through that process that we get to bilateral relationships and issues like that," he said.
Boucher made the remarks three days before Secretary of State Madeleine Albright leaves Washington for Pyongyang. She will arrived in the DPRK's capital Monday and leave for Seoul Wednesday to consult with South Korea.
Albright is expected to have talks with DPRK leader Kim Jong-il.
If Albright's trip goes well next week, President Bill Clinton could go too in the final months of his presidency, which ends in January.
Asked if a presidential visit was definite, Boucher said he would not describe it as "a fait accompli."
"We look to keep making progress on the issues of concern to us, and want to make sure that any further steps are part of that progress," he said.
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