The White House said yesterday it was reviewing its options on North Korea after a top Russian official was quoted as saying that Pyongyang was ready for unconditional talks with the United States and Japan.
President Bush, who has called North Korea part of an "axis of evil" seeking weapons of mass destruction, has taken a hard line toward the reclusive, Stalinist state but in June proposed sending a senior US official to Pyongyang.
Washington postponed its proposal of a mid-July visit by Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly after North Korea was slow to respond to the offer. A deadly North-South naval clash on June 29th, over which Pyongyang on Thursday expressed "regret," also clouded the prospects for such a meeting.
The talks, if they take place, are expected to focus on Pyongyang's missile exports, its large conventional forces, the monitoring of the international food aid it receives and an inspection program for the nuclear power reactors which Japan and the West plan to build in North Korea.
In a hint that North Korea may want to resume discussions, the Itar-Tass news agency quoted Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov as saying in the North Korean capital: "Pyongyang is ready for a constructive dialogue with the U.S. and Japan without any preconditions."
White House National Security Council spokesman Sean McCormack declined specific comment on Ivanov's remarks but noted that Mr Bush has said Washington is ready for serious, comprehensive talks if Pyongyang is too.
"We do take note of the North Korean statement of regret for the naval clash ... and we are reviewing options for next steps with North Korea," Mr McCormack said. "We are prepared for serious and comprehensive talks if Pyongyang is also prepared."
- (Reuters)