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N Korea 'ready' for nuclear talks N Korea 'ready' for nuclear talks
(about 2 hours later)
North Korea's Foreign Ministry has said the country is ready to return to stalled six-party negotiations about its nuclear programme.North Korea's Foreign Ministry has said the country is ready to return to stalled six-party negotiations about its nuclear programme.
It has also repeated its call for direct talks with its avowed enemy the United States.It has also repeated its call for direct talks with its avowed enemy the United States.
Last month, leader Kim Jong-il said he might consider a return to the nuclear talks he had previously declared dead - after direct talks with Washington.Last month, leader Kim Jong-il said he might consider a return to the nuclear talks he had previously declared dead - after direct talks with Washington.
The latest comments offer the strongest hint yet that dialogue could resume.The latest comments offer the strongest hint yet that dialogue could resume.
The statement called on the United States to make the next move.The statement called on the United States to make the next move.
Rational moveRational move
"The conclusion we have reached is that the direct parties, which are the North and the United States, must first sit down and find a rational solution," the foreign ministry spokesman said in comments reported by the official KCNA news agency."The conclusion we have reached is that the direct parties, which are the North and the United States, must first sit down and find a rational solution," the foreign ministry spokesman said in comments reported by the official KCNA news agency.
"Now that we have shown the generosity of stating the position that we would be willing to talk to the United States and hold multilateral talks including the six-way talks, it is time for the United States to make a decision," the spokesman said."Now that we have shown the generosity of stating the position that we would be willing to talk to the United States and hold multilateral talks including the six-way talks, it is time for the United States to make a decision," the spokesman said.
But the State Department says it has not yet decided whether to accept Pyongyang's invitation for a visit by the US special envoy on North Korea, Stephen Bosworth. But the state department says it has not yet decided whether to accept Pyongyang's invitation for a visit by the US special envoy on North Korea, Stephen Bosworth.
In its latest comments, North Korea said it would "go our own way" if Washington refuses dialogue.In its latest comments, North Korea said it would "go our own way" if Washington refuses dialogue.
The North in early October expressed willingness to return to the six-party nuclear disarmament negotiations it quit in April, but only after it talks directly to the United States to improve "hostile relations".The North in early October expressed willingness to return to the six-party nuclear disarmament negotiations it quit in April, but only after it talks directly to the United States to improve "hostile relations".
EnvoyEnvoy
North Korea's second-ranking nuclear envoy, Ri Gun, just spent a week in the US and met US academics and former officials.North Korea's second-ranking nuclear envoy, Ri Gun, just spent a week in the US and met US academics and former officials.
These US contacts said after these meetings that the North appeared to be more open to resuming the six-way talks on its nuclear programme.These US contacts said after these meetings that the North appeared to be more open to resuming the six-way talks on its nuclear programme.
Ri Gun held talks in New York with Sung Kim, the US special envoy on the North's nuclear disarmament. They also met later on the sidelines of a California forum.Ri Gun held talks in New York with Sung Kim, the US special envoy on the North's nuclear disarmament. They also met later on the sidelines of a California forum.
When asked about Mr Ri's visit to the US, the North Korean foreign ministry spokesman appeared to downplay its importance.When asked about Mr Ri's visit to the US, the North Korean foreign ministry spokesman appeared to downplay its importance.
NORTH KOREA 2009 TESTS 4 July - Seven suspected ballistic missiles fired2 July - four short-range cruise missiles launched25 May - second underground nuclear test brings new UN sanctions25/26 May - series of short-range rockets fired5 April - N Korea says long-range rocket was satellite launch North Korea's missile programme What is North Korea's game plan? NORTH KOREA 2009 TESTS 4 July - Seven suspected ballistic missiles fired2 July - four short-range cruise missiles launched25 May - second underground nuclear test brings new UN sanctions25/26 May - series of short-range rockets fired5 April - N Korea says long-range rocket was satellite launch North Korea's missile programme What is North Korea's game plan?
"This contact was not a preliminary meeting for the DPRK (North Korea)-US talks, and thus there were no substantive discussions related to the DPRK-US talks," the spokesman said."This contact was not a preliminary meeting for the DPRK (North Korea)-US talks, and thus there were no substantive discussions related to the DPRK-US talks," the spokesman said.
He said if the two countries "end the hostile relationship and build trust, there will be a meaningful step towards the denuclearising of the Korean peninsula."He said if the two countries "end the hostile relationship and build trust, there will be a meaningful step towards the denuclearising of the Korean peninsula."
The spokesman added: "If the United States is not ready to sit down face-to-face with us for talks, we cannot but go on our own way."The spokesman added: "If the United States is not ready to sit down face-to-face with us for talks, we cannot but go on our own way."
Analysts have noted several signs of easing of the tensions between North Korea and its neighbours.Analysts have noted several signs of easing of the tensions between North Korea and its neighbours.
It has recently allowed family reunions from South Korea, and held talks with senior Chinese officials.It has recently allowed family reunions from South Korea, and held talks with senior Chinese officials.
Some analysts believe the North is becoming more ready to resume talks because tough UN sanctions may be having an impact on the impoverished country, with food supplies low ahead of winter.Some analysts believe the North is becoming more ready to resume talks because tough UN sanctions may be having an impact on the impoverished country, with food supplies low ahead of winter.
The sanctions were imposed after North Korea resumed nuclear testing and held several missile launches earlier this year.The sanctions were imposed after North Korea resumed nuclear testing and held several missile launches earlier this year.