Senior Bush Says US Doesn't Want War With NK
2003-04-16
Former U.S. president George Bush said on Tuesday (April 15) that the United States doesn't want to wage a war against North Korea, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
During a dinner with President Roh Moo-hyun at the presidential Blue House, the father of the incumbent U.S. president was quoted as saying the U.S. does not want to see a nuclear-armed North Korea either.
In response, Roh said, "North Korea certainly knows that its window of opportunity is closing so it will accept a proposal (for multilateral talks to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis)."
Earlier in the day, during the meeting with the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) chairman Son Kil-seung, the senior Bush noted that the standoff with North Korea over its nuclear program has to be solved through multilateral talks in a peaceful manner.
His remark came in a closed meeting with a group of Korean business leaders, which was organized by the FKI at the Hotel Shilla.
The owners and heads of leading conglomerates, including Hyundai Motor chairman Chung Mong-Koo, attended the meeting. U.S. Ambassador to Korea Thomas Hubbard and Jeffrey Jones, former president of the American Chamber of Commerce, were also on hand.
Son added that the former president also appreciated the nation's decision to dispatch non-combat troops to the war in Iraq in support of the U.S.-led coalition.
The local business leaders expressed a desire for the U.S. government to enhance cooperation in resolving bilateral economic issues to expand trade between the countries, according to the FKI chairman.
Bush left Korea on Tuesday after the three-day visit at the invitation of the FKI.
Source : www.korea.net
