NK, US Not At Odds Over Talks Format
2003-08-05
North Korea and the United States are expected to reach a compromise on how they will conduct dialogue within a multilateral format, a senior Foreign Affairs-Trade Ministry official said on Monday (Aug. 4)
"The two do not seem too distant on the matter," said Wi Sung-lac, director-general of the North American Affairs Bureau on Monday, when asked about the prospects for the so-called "bilateral within the six-way" format, expecting the two sides to soon find a consensus.
Pyongyang and Washington during working-level contacts in New York last week, concurred on heading straight into six-way talks that would include South Korea, Japan, China and Russia.
Skipping the three-way talks with China, the two adversaries have agreed to instead hold meaningful bilateral dialogue within the six-way format, although details on how exactly they will do this have not been decided.
As for the date, early next month seems to be winning over those who said talks may be held as early as late this month, other sources said.
"Three-way consultations between South Korea, the U.S. and Japan on their North Korea policies needs to be held, but the timing has not been decided," Wi said, adding, "It's unlikely to be this week."
South Korea is also considering a series of bilateral negotiations with the other four participants in the six-way talks aside from North Korea, where "fundamental issues rather than procedural ones will be discussed," he said.
Source : www.korea.net
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