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Bush Claims United Front With Asian Allies in Standoff Over North Korea’s Nuclear Program
U.S. President George W. Bush, in Chile for a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, said Saturday the United States and other nations in the six-party talks are united in insisting that North Korea resume negotiations on its nuclear program, Reuters reported (see GSN, Nov. 19). “Five APEC members are working to convince North Korea to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons,” Bush said, referring to the United States, Russia, Japan, China and South Korea. “I can report to you today, having visited with the other nations involved in that collaborative effort, that the will is strong, that the effort is united, and the message is clear to [North Korean leader] Mr. Kim Jong Il: Get rid of your nuclear weapons programs,” Bush said. There are three separate proposals being offered by North Korea, South Korea and the United States for a new round of talks, according to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. “Let’s discuss these proposals at the table and not by public exchange of our views,” he said. Powell’s comments might have been an indication that Pyongyang could receive more energy aid sooner than in the U.S. offer if it resumed negotiations, according to Reuters (Holland/Morgan, Reuters, Nov. 20). South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon said yesterday that Bush’s meetings with counterparts from South Korea, China, Japan and Russia provided an opportunity to renew efforts at resuming the stalled talks. “This kind of diplomatic effort will help to create a very favorable atmosphere and we sincerely hope North Korea will not lose this opportunity,” he told Reuters. “It’s our firm determination to keep this momentum alive,” he added (Paul Eckert, Reuters, Nov. 21).
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