U.S., China call on N. Korea to return to 6-way talks

(ATTN: ADDS Clinton's remarks in paras 7-8)
By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, July 28 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. and China reaffirmed Tuesday their
agreement to seek North Korea's denuclearization through multilateral talks,
despite Pyongyang's rejection of them and insistence on bilateral negotiations
with Washington.

How to address the North Korean nuclear issue was high on the agenda at the
two-day Strategic Economic Dialogue between the two world powers, which ended
Tuesday in the U.S. capital.
In a joint statement, Beijing and Washington said they had "affirmed the
importance of the Six-Party Talks and continuing efforts to achieve
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and maintaining peace and stability of
the Peninsula and Northeast Asia."
"They emphasized the importance of implementing U.N. Security Council Resolution
1874 and resolving the nuclear issue on the Peninsula through peaceful means,"
the statement said. "Both sides agreed to step up their efforts for the early
realization of the above-mentioned goals."
North Korea has repeatedly said the six-party talks are finished. It withdrew
from them in anger over U.N. Security Council sanctions imposed on the isolated
state following its missile and nuclear tests. The talks involve the two Koreas,
the U.S., China, Japan and Russia.
The North's Foreign Ministry on Monday issued a statement saying there is "a
specific and reserved form of dialogue that can address the current situation,"
which has been widely interpreted as meaning bilateral talks between Pyongyang
and Washington.
Appearing at a joint press availability, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
said that she was satisfied with the discussion she had with State Councilor Dai
Bingguo who "has been very involved in North Korean policy in China for many
years" and "has a depth of understanding and appreciation for the difficulties of
dealing with the North Korean government."
"And we spent quite a bit of time talking in depth about the Chinese perception
both of North Korea, but also of our interactions with them," she said. "And I
found that very useful indeed."
Representing the U.S. in the dialogue were Clinton and Treasury Secretary Tim
Geithner. Their Chinese counterparts were State Councilor Dai Bingguo and Vice
Premier Wang Qishan.
U.S. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly rebuffed the North's statement on
Monday, saying, "Our long-standing policy is that we are open to a bilateral
dialogue, but only in the context of the six-party talks, only in a multilateral
context."
In the opening session of the U.S.-China dialogue, U.S. President Barack Obama
sought China's help in denuclearizing North Korea.
"Neither America nor China has an interest in a terrorist acquiring a bomb, or a
nuclear arms race breaking out in East Asia," Obama said. "That is why we must
continue our collaboration to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean
Peninsula, and make it clear to North Korea that the path to security and respect
can be traveled if they meet their obligations."
China, Pyongyang's staunchest communist ally, is considered key to the
implementation of any sanctions on North Korea, which relies heavily on its
neighbor for energy, food and other essentials.
Beijing previously had been lukewarm towards implementing U.N. sanctions against
North Korea for fear of destabilizing the country, which could prompt a flood of
refugees and undermine regional security at a time when China is trying to emerge
as a major economic power.
Clinton on Monday expressed satisfaction with China's cooperation in dealing with
North Korea.
"Already we have cooperated very closely together," she said. "And we are
grateful to the Chinese government and their leadership in establishing the
six-party talks and its close cooperation with us in response to the North Korean
missile launches."
Clinton recently urged the North to return to the six-party talks and pledged not
to accept "half measures" or to reward provocations. She also warned North Korea
"will face international isolation and the unrelenting pressure of global
sanctions" until it agrees to denuclearization.
North Korea, however, blames the standoff on Washington's "hostile policy,"
dismissing as "nonsense" Washington's package of incentives offered in exchange
for full denuclearization.
hdh@yna.co.kr
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