This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8169863.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
N Korea hints at 'specific' talks N Korea hints at 'specific' talks
(about 2 hours later)
North Korea has again insisted it would not return to six-party talks aimed at dismantling its nuclear weapons programmes. North Korea has again insisted it will not return to six-party talks aimed at ending its nuclear weapons programme.
But it has hinted it was still open to some form of dialogue. But it hinted it was still open to "a specific and reserved form of dialogue", state media quoted a foreign ministry statement.
"There is a specific and reserved form of dialogue that can address the current situation," state media quoted a foreign ministry statement. The statement did not elaborate on what form any new dialogue could take but Pyongyang has previously said it was open to direct talks with the US.
The note follows an exchange of insults between the North and the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last week. The US has said it will hold talks with the North within the six-party format.
The ministry statement quoted by North Korean media did not elaborate on what form any new dialogue could take. Some analysts are seeing the statement as a sign that after a series of provocations to the international community, North Korea may now be ready to find a way to ease tension.
Some analysts saw the statement as a sign that after a series of provocations to the international community, North Korea may now be ready to find a way to ease tension. It is thought that North Korea believes it has more to gain from one-on-one talks with the United States, including the sense of parity of status with its long term adversary, says the BBC's John Sudworth in Seoul.
But it was clear that the North believes that past patterns of persuasion or pressure for Pyongyang to rejoin talks with China, Russia, South Korea, Japan and the United States were over. But it was clear that the North believes that past patterns of persuasion or pressure for Pyongyang to rejoin the six-party talks - with China, Russia, South Korea, Japan and the United States - were over.
"Any attempt to side with those who claim the resumption of the six-party talks without grasping the essence of the matter will not help ease tension," the foreign ministry spokesman said in the statement. "Any attempt to side with those who claim the resumption of the six-party talks without grasping the essence of the matter will not help ease tension," a foreign ministry spokesman said in the statement.
Six or two?Six or two?
North Korea's UN envoy, Sin Son-ho, had said on Friday that Pyongyang was not opposed to negotiations with the US, but that it would not return to the six-party format.North Korea's UN envoy, Sin Son-ho, had said on Friday that Pyongyang was not opposed to negotiations with the US, but that it would not return to the six-party format.
In the past, the North has demanded talks only with the US, something Washington has previously been loath to do.In the past, the North has demanded talks only with the US, something Washington has previously been loath to do.
North Korea's main Rodong Sinmun newspaper also said Sunday that the country's envoy told an Asian security conference in Thailand last week that the nuclear standoff was a matter only between Pyongyang and Washington. North Korea's main Rodong Sinmun newspaper also said on Sunday that Mr Sin told an Asian security conference in Thailand last week that the nuclear standoff was a matter only between Pyongyang and Washington.
The US says it is willing to hold direct talks with the North within the six-nation process if it returns to the negotiating table and takes irreversible steps for denuclearisation.The US says it is willing to hold direct talks with the North within the six-nation process if it returns to the negotiating table and takes irreversible steps for denuclearisation.
North Korea has stepped up its missile programme in recent weeksNorth Korea has stepped up its missile programme in recent weeks
On Sunday, Mrs Clinton said on NBC television that the six-party talk framework was "the appropriate way to engage with North Korea."On Sunday, Mrs Clinton said on NBC television that the six-party talk framework was "the appropriate way to engage with North Korea."
The North quit the multilateral disarmament talks after the UN Security Council imposed tough sanctions after the North launched nuclear and missile tests. The North quit the multilateral disarmament talks after the UN Security Council imposed tough sanctions following nuclear and missile tests carried out by the North.
These include an expanded arms embargo and beefed up inspections of air, sea and land shipments going to and from North Korea.These include an expanded arms embargo and beefed up inspections of air, sea and land shipments going to and from North Korea.
Speaking at an Asian regional forum in Thailand last week Mrs Clinton said North Korea had no friends to protect it from international efforts to end its nuclear programme. Speaking at the Asian security forum in Thailand last week, Mrs Clinton said North Korea had no friends to protect it from international efforts to end its nuclear programme.
Separately, a spokesman in Pyongyang described Mrs Clinton as a "funny lady" - responding to her comments that North Korea's behaviour was that of an unruly child. Earlier, a spokesman in Pyongyang had described Mrs Clinton as a "funny lady" who is "by no means intelligent" - responding to her comments that North Korea's behaviour was that of an unruly child.
"Her words suggest that she is by no means intelligent," the spokesman said, quoted by state news agency KCNA.
"Sometimes she looks like a primary schoolgirl and sometimes a pensioner going shopping. Anyone making misstatements has to pay for them."
AdvertisementAdvertisement
Hillary Clinton's comments led to a North Korean spokesman calling her a 'funny lady'Hillary Clinton's comments led to a North Korean spokesman calling her a 'funny lady'