Powell, N Korea talk nuclear
2004-07-02 07:13
Jakarta - US Secretary of State Colin Powell met on Friday with North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun to discuss the impasse over that country's nuclear weapons programme, in the highest-level meeting between the two countries since 2002.
Powell told Paek there was an opportunity for "concrete progress" toward the US goal of complete nuclear disarmament by North Korea, US state department spokesperson Richard Boucher said.
Boucher said they discussed proposals that each side put forth at an international meeting last week in China. The talks among the United States, the two Koreas, China, Japan and Russia ended on Saturday without concrete results, but with parties agreeing to meet again by September.
Powell emphasized to Paek the US proposals to move forward on the proposed dismantling of North Korea's nuclear programmes during their 20-minute meeting on Friday morning.
"The discussion was useful to help clarify each side's proposal," Boucher said.
Powell was in Jakarta at the annual summer meeting of Pacific Rim foreign ministers. The meeting with Paek, which was not on Powell's schedule, was held after breakfast on the sidelines of the conference. They met two years ago at the same forum, which was then held in Brunei.
Paek, according to a North Korean statement, said that if the United States wants to improve relations, his government "will not regard the US as a permanent enemy." He said future relations hinge on a change in the current "hostile policy" of the United States.
Paek added that his country remains committed to the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and to a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue. Paek also said "simultaneous actions" were the only way to overcome mutual suspicions with the United States.
Powell told a news conference on Thursday night that North Korea would be wasting its time if it holds out for economic benefits from the United States before showing serious intent to dismantle its nuclear weapons programme.
But he said if North Korea commits itself quickly to disarmament, progress on a comprehensive deal could be swift.
- AP