Powell Expects 'Developments' in N. Korean Nuclear Crisis
VOA News
16 Jul 2003, 18:25 UTC
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell says he expects developments in the North Korean nuclear crisis in the very near future.
Mr. Powell made the comment Wednesday at the State Department, speaking to reporters with German Foreign Minister Joschka Fisher. The secretary did not elaborate on what those developments might be, but he said the Bush administration still hopes a diplomatic solution to the crisis will be reached.
China has proposed multilateral talks that also would include bilateral discussions between Pyongyang and Washington. The United States has not commented publicly on Beijing's proposal. North Korea has insisted on direct negotiations with Washington.
Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing discussed North Korea's nuclear program in a phone conversation.
A report in The Washington Post says the Bush administration is considering admitting thousands of North Korean refugees as a means of applying pressure on Pyongyang. Secretary Powell confirmed the idea is being discussed, but he said no decision has been made.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AFP.
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