Roh Talks With Annan on N. Korea
2003-05-14
NEW YORK - President Roh Moo-hyun spoke with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan during his visit to the international body's headquarters on Tuesday.
During Roh's visit, Annan asked Roh for Seoul's help to finance a long-term U.N. plan to develop the North, to which Roh said that it would be difficult to accept the request, considering the ongoing negotiations between the North and the U.S. for the resolution of Pyongyang's nuclear programs.
In a briefing, top presidential public relations officer Lee Hae-sung told reporters, “President Roh intends to put on hold any UN-initiated development plans targeting the North.”
Lee said that the U.N. is doing something it has rarely done before in pushing for a long-term development plan involving the North, adding that a decision would be made after consulting with the U.S., but this stance would not affect the ongoing inter-Korean business projects.
The U.S. has reportedly objected to Seoul's making any new business overtures to the North, until the Stalinist country complies with its demand that Pyongyang completely dismantle its nuclear weapons. Any economic inducements would be included in a U.S.-led package that would be provided for the North in exchange for its renunciation of nuclear programs.
In Washington, Roh will visit Arlington National Cemetery and meet congressional leaders before holding the summit with Bush at the White House Thursday.
Source : www.korea.net
