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DPRK hints at compromise on nuke talks
(CNN)
Updated: 2005-08-14 14:32
PYONGYANG, North Korea -- North Korea's chief nuclear negotiator says
Pyongyang may be willing to offer proof that it does not have a uranium-based
weapons program, which the United States claims it does, CNN reported.
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| An
image of the Korean peninsula is seen on a large 'unification flag' as it
is is raised during the opening ceremony for the inter-Korean unification
festival in Seoul August 14, 2005. [Reuters] | The
apparently conciliatory gesture from Vice Foreign Minister Kim Gye Kwan comes
ahead of a planned resumption of six-party talks at the end of the month aimed
at getting North Korea to dismantle its nuclear program.
North and South Korea, China, Japan, Russia and the United States have been
taking part in those talks.
One of the most contentious issues at the negotiations has been Washington's
claim that North Korea has a secret uranium weapons program in addition to its
declared plutonium one.
In a rare interview with CNN in the North Korean capital, Kim repeated
Pyongyang's denial that it has a uranium-based program. But in a hint to the
United States that North Korea is willing to compromise, he said the issue was
open to negotiation.
"We don't have any uranium-based weapons program, but in the future if there
is any kind of evidence that needs to be clarified we will be fully prepared to
do so." he said.
Kim also said North Korea wants to pursue a peaceful nuclear program and is
willing to adopt "strict supervision" of its nuclear facilities.
"As we resolve the nuclear issue we are willing to return to the NPT (nuclear
non-proliferation treaty) and fully abide by IAEA (U.N.'s International Atomic
Energy Agency) safeguards.
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