U.S. Lawmaker Sees N. Korea Nuclear Talks Maybe in February

[seemslikeadream]

By Linda Sieg

TOKYO (Reuters) - Talks on North Korea's nuclear arms programs could resume in early February if the United States refrains from "inflammatory rhetoric," a U.S. congressman said on Tuesday after talks with Pyongyang's number two leader last week.

Republican Curt Weldon of Pennsylvania said Pyongyang was serious about abandoning its nuclear programs if Washington would give security and other assurances sought by the North.

Weldon led a bipartisan delegation of lawmakers who met North Korea's parliament president Kim Yong-nam, second only to top leader Kim Jong-il, and other North Korean officials last week.

Speaking at the American Center in Tokyo, Weldon said the timing of Pyongyang's return to stalled talks depended on two factors. First, Pyongyang wants to see the composition of the Bush administration's diplomatic team, to be finalised soon.

Second, the North will be closely watching the tone of confirmation hearings for Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state later on Tuesday, President George W. Bush's inauguration speech on Jan. 20, and his State of the Union address on Feb. 2.

more
http://www.metronews.ca/reuters_international.asp?id=51170