Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=09/03/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-307095

TITLE=NORTH KOREA/TALKS (SHORT)

BYLINE=AMY BICKERS

DATELINE=TOKYO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Using its rubber-stamp parliament as a mouthpiece, North Korea has reiterated its threat to build up its "nuclear deterrent force," and stated that it has "no interest" in further multi-party talks on its nuclear weapons program. V-O-A's Amy Bickers reports from Tokyo that the comments came as the United States and the North's neighbors continue to plan for a possible second round of talks on the issue.

TEXT: Official North Korean media said Wednesday that the parliament approved the leadership's decision to expand the country's nuclear deterrent force. There was no information on the nature of the expansion, or on what weapons the North might already possess.

The official news agency said the parliament also approved a statement by the North Korean Foreign Ministry, that Pyongyang has "no interest or expectations" in further negotiations to end the 11-month nuclear crisis.

North Korea's parliament operates at the will of the leadership, and the body's reported actions are considered a way of broadcasting the leadership's thinking to the world.

The government made similar statements after a first round of six-nation talks on the nuclear crisis ended Friday in Beijing. On Tuesday, Pyongyang briefly backtracked, saying it was still willing to take part in a dialogue on its nuclear weapons program.

While Pyongyang issues contradictory rhetoric, a high-ranking Chinese delegation was in Seoul for talks with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun. The South Korean foreign minister, Yoon Young-kwan, is in Washington for talks with U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell. (SIGNED)

NEB/HK/AB/BK