Bosworth to begin Asian tour for N. Korean nuclear talks: officials

SEOUL, Aug. 30 (Yonhap) -- Stephen Bosworth, the U.S. point man on North Korea,
plans to embark on an Asian tour with a delegation early next month to coordinate
positions and share ideas on how to bring Pyongyang back to denuclearization
talks, officials said Sunday.
"Bosworth is expected to make the (Asian) trip no later than mid-September,
together with the delegation formed of key officials from the National Security
Council and the State Department," an official familiar with the North Korean
nuclear issue said, adding that the exact itinerary is expected to be decided
soon.
The former U.S. ambassador to South Korea is Washington's special representative
for North Korea policy. The reported visit comes in light of apparent efforts by
Pyongyang, which faces U.N. sanctions for its nuclear and military provocations,
to hold direct talks with the U.S. regarding denuclearization.
The U.S. insists on dealing with the North through the six-party talks, which
also involve South Korea, China, Japan and Russia.
"Given signals from North Korea that it wants to talk with both the South and the
U.S., a key issue will be how we should respond," the official said.
The U.S. has reportedly decided to maintain U.N. sanctions on North Korea even if
Pyongyang returns to the negotiation table, but was mulling over whether it
should insist on the North promising "irreversible denuclearization" as a
precondition for bilateral talks.
Observers believe that bilateral talks between Washington and Pyongyang within
the six-party context may take place after Bosworth's Asian trip if the U.S.
decides to set no preconditions for talks.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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