Spokesman of DPRK Foreign Ministry Refutes Absurd Story about Dialogue

Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK gave the following answer to the question raised by KCNA Tuesday over the absurd story about dialogue being floated around the DPRK. A touch-and-go situation is now prevailing on the Korean peninsula due to the moves of the U.S. for a nuclear war. Nevertheless, some countries are talking about the six-party talks, simultaneous pushing forward of denuclearization and the conclusion of a peace treaty and the like. Even a mere child knows well that dialogue is impossible under the present tense situation on the peninsula. Dialogue should be based on mutual respect and equality among its parties. The DPRK doesn't oppose dialogue but categorically rejects any unequal dialogue. It is the DPRK's consistent and principled stand not to have a dialogue under unilateral pressure. Dialogue and military threat, dialogue and sanctions can never go together. Due to the ever-escalating hostile acts of the U.S., the nuclear issue of the DPRK has long been away from its negotiating table. The urgent issue to be settled on the Korean peninsula is to put a definite end to the U.S. hostile policy toward the DPRK, the root cause of all problems. Whether the issue would be solved through dialogue and negotiations or through other methods entirely depends on the attitude of the U.S. -0-