DPRK hints at compromise on nuke talks
(CNN)
Updated: 2005-08-14 14:32

Pyongyang ordered U.N. nuclear inspectors out of the country in December 2002, and pulled out of the NPT the following month.

"If someone is concerned with regard to our possible nuclear activities which could lead up to the manufacture of nuclear weapons out of the operations of a light-water nuclear reactor, then we can leave the operations under strict supervision," Kim said.

"The U.S. itself can have direct participation or the U.S. can pick a nation that they trust."

However, Kim said his country would not bend on the key issue that has stalled the talks -- it will not obey any directive to abandon all of its nuclear programs, including one for nuclear energy.

"We would like to pursue peaceful nuclear energy power generation and this is a quite urgent issue that faces our nation," Kim said.

"And this is a very appropriate policy in light of the economic situation of our country. That is why we cannot make a concession in this field."

Kim said that Pyongyang was looking carefully at what appears to be the Bush administration's recent conciliatory tone and said he would bring a sincere and business-like attitude to the next round of talks.

But he warned that any U.S. attempt to promote a change of regime in North Korea was destined to fail.

After meeting for 13 straight days, diplomats from the six countries involved decided last weekend to take a recess.

The six-party talks are scheduled to resume on August 29.

In an effort to promote a non-nuclear Korean Peninsula, CNN founder Ted Turner and a small delegation from his Nuclear Threat Initiative arrived in North Korea Saturday for a two-day visit.

Turner's visit will focus on environmental issues and he is looking into the possibility of turning the DMZ, the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea, into a peace park.

After his visit to North Korea, Turner plans to stop in South Korea for a conference.

Close

Japanese PM launches general election campaign Katrina slams US Gulf Coast, oil rigs adrift Japan's 6 parties square off in TV debate

Today's Top News     Top World News
President Hu Jintao: Gender equality crucial         Special grants offered to poor students         EU takes steps to unblock China textiles         Farmers sue county for illegal land use         Search for 123 trapped miners suspended         Hurricane Katrina rocks New Orleans	Bush promises post-storm help for victims       Sharon: Not all settlements in final deal       Hurricane Katrina rocks New Orleans       Sri Lanka PM focuses on ending civil war       Musharraf warns Pakistan Islamic schools       Katrina may cost insurers $25 bln