U.S. repeats call on N. Korea to return to 6-way talks: State Dept.

By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (Yonhap) -- The United States Friday renewed its call for
North Korea to return to multinational talks on its denucleaization, saying
nothing has changed in the U.S. position since ex-President Bill Clinton's trip
to Pyongyang.
"Our policy remains the same with regard to North Korea," State Department
spokesman Robert Wood said. "The ball is in the North's court. It needs to come
back to the six-party framework, so that we can continue on the path toward a
denuclearized Korean Peninsula."
Wood was trying to quell growing optimism that the landmark trip by Clinton might
lead to a breakthrough in the negotiations over North Korea's nuclear programs,
stalled after its recent nuclear and missile tests.
Clinton had a rare three-hour meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il
Tuesday to discuss a variety of issues and, according to Pyongyang, conveyed a
"verbal message" from U.S. President Barack Obama.
The White House has denied the delivery of any such message, categorizing the
trip as a "private mission" to win the release of two American journalists held
in North Korea since March for illegally entering the North on a reporting tour.
National Security Adviser James Jones, however, expressed the hope that the trip
will help produce a breakthrough in the deadlocked talks.
"And we certainly hope it could lead to other good things, but we won't know that
for a while," Jones told reporters Thursday. "This was a -- who knows where the
future will lead ?"
Reports indicate that Kim Jong-il proposed a "grand deal" to Obama through the
former U.S. president, whom Kim had reportedly chosen as the only emissary who
could help release the journalists.
Clinton will likely meet with Obama in the coming days to brief him about the
substance of the conversation he had with the reclusive communist leader and
offer his first-hand impression of Kim, who is said to have suffered a stroke
last summer. He is also rumored to have pancreatic cancer.
Clinton spoke to Jones Wednesday by phone, according to the White House.
Wood said that scheduling is still under way for Obama's meeting with Clinton.
The North's nuclear and missile tests in recent months invited international
sanctions, which led the regime to boycott the six-party talks, citing "U.S.
hostility," but also to demand bilateral talks with Washington.
The U.S. insists any bilateral talks be held within the six-party framework.
Pyongyang's recent provocations are seen as an attempt to facilitate an
unprecedented third generation power transition to Kim Jong-Il's third and
youngest son, Jong-un, 26.
Kim's lengthy meeting with Clinton apparently eased concerns over his health.
South Korean and U.S. officials said they have been discussing a "comprehensive
package," a possible breakaway from a six-party deal on the North's
denuclearization that calls for action for action in the process of nuclear
dismantlement by the reclusive communist state.
South Korean and U.S. officials have said they were discussing a "comprehensive
package" for a possible breakaway from a six-party deal on the North's
denuclearization that calls for action for action in the process of nuclear
dismantlement by the reclusive communist state.
Critics have said North Korea has used the six-party deal as a way to buy time
over the past six years for its eventual nuclear armament.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently reiterated the principles of the
six-party deal by promising that "full normalization of relations, a permanent
peace regime, and significant energy and economic assistance are all possible in
the context of full and verifiable denuclearization."
hdh@yna.co.kr
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