Powell Says No Preconditions for Talks With DPRKU.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said in Washington on Thursday that the United States sets no preconditions for resumption of talks with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)."We're not setting any preconditions right now. I think it's important for us to have an open dialogue on all of the issues that are of concern," Powell said to reporters after a meeting with visiting South Korean Foreign Minister Han Seung-Soo. "We're not putting any preconditions down. There are some things we are very, very interested in, more interested than in other items, and they would be at the top of our agenda. But we're not prepared to start affecting the talks with preconditions," he noted. Talking about President George W. Bush's statement issued on Wednesday night to resume talks with DPRK, Powell said it was the major item of discussion in his meeting with Han. He acknowledged that the review of policy towards DPRK which the U.S. has just concluded was done in consultation and coordination with South Korea and Japan as well as with some other nations. "I'm pleased that this review period has now come to a close. We have finished our review, and we are ready to move forward," the secretary said. He said the talks may first resume in New York where the two countries have had regular contacts in the past. "We don't have a date yet, but I hope it'll be in the very near future," he said. Han, who arrived here on Wednesday night, welcomed Bush's statement on the resumption of talks with Pyongyang and expressed hope that the U.S. will engage the DPRK in a "very meaningful and useful dialogue." |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |