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Kim Jong Il, Albright Complete Second Meeting
Leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Jong Il, completed his second meeting with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in Pyongyang Tuesday.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Albright said,"Chairman Kim and I had serious, constructive, and in-depth discussions of proposals on diplomatic relations, missile restraint, and security issues."
Albright said that one of the major achievements made during her talks with Kim is "important progress" on the missile issue.
"We made important progress, but much work remains to be done," she said, adding that missile experts from both sides will reconvene next week.
Albright said that while attending a mass performance in a Pyongyang stadium Monday, Kim indicated to her that his country will no longer test fire long-range missiles.
Albright quoted Kim as saying that the launching of the DPRK Taepodong missile in 1998 was the first satellite launch and "it would be the last."
She noted that she and Kim discussed the full range of U.S. concerns on missiles, including the DPRK's indigenous missile program.
However, Albright, who arrived here Monday for a two-day historic visit, did not say whether the two sides had come to an agreement on a possible visit by President Bill Clinton to the DPRK.
The secretary of state said only that she will report on her visit to President Bill Clinton and Clinton will then make a decision on whether he will pay a visit to the DPRK.
Albright said she explained to Kim the U.S. vision for relations between the two countries free from past hostility, which contribute to peace and stability throughout the region, and which support the process of reconciliation between the DPRK and South Korea.
But she did not say whether the two countries will soon normalize relations which have been grim since the Korean War (1950-1953).
In Seoul, the Yonhap news agency quoted Albright as telling reporters that Kim is a man of resolution and pragmatism.
Washington wants Pyongyang to make a pledge to give up its development of missiles and weapons of mass destruction, while Pyongyang wants to be removed from the U.S. list of terrorism-sponsoring nations, and to be free from U.S.-imposed sanctions.
Before beginning the second meeting, Kim said, "I don't believe the three-hour dialogue was enough to break 50 years of silence."
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