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Pie in the sky?
Let's see how NK reacts...
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Rice says North Korea talks will fail without commitment to give up nukes
ERIC TALMADGE 43 minutes ago
TOKYO (AP) - The upcoming six-party talks on North Korean disarmament will fail unless the communist state makes a commitment to abandon its nuclear weapons, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Tuesday.
"What we really need is a strategic decision on the part of the North that they are indeed ready to give up their nuclear weapons program," Rice told reporters after the meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura in Tokyo. "Without that, these talks cannot be successful," she said.
She also said Washington strongly supports Japan's efforts to resolve the cases of Japanese citizens kidnapped decades ago by North Korean agents. The North has released five of the victims, but Japan believes other victims may still remain in the reclusive country.
"We agreed that there must be an actual progress in the next round of talks, and we expect North Korea's serious and constructive handling," Machimura said. "We also confirmed the importance of close co-operation among Japan, the United States and South Korea on the issue."
Rice was also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi later in the day before heading to South Korea. She arrived in Tokyo late on Monday from Thailand, and visited China at the weekend.
Despite the call for concessions from the North, Rice pledged Washington's commitment to the upcoming talks, which are scheduled to resume the week of July 25 in Beijing.
"We're ready to negotiate seriously. We are prepared to roll up our sleeves and do everything we can to make these talks a success," she said, adding that all of the partners in the talks - China, South Korea, Russia, Japan and the United States - were aiming toward the common goal of a nuclear-free North Korea.
Ahead of the talks, Japanese officials said Japan, South Korea and the United States were trying to arrange three-way talks on North Korea before the broader meetings.
"We believe we should have Japan-US-South Korea talks as soon as possible, and we are currently arranging a date and a venue," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda said. "We are hoping to have a meeting by the weekend."
North Korea announced over the weekend that it would end its yearlong boycott of the six-party talks on its nuclear weapons programs.
Hosoda also said that UN reform would be a key agenda during talks with Rice. Japan is seeking a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. At present, only five countries have such seats: the United States, China, Russia, France and Britain.
"We will explain Japan's stance and appeal to (Rice) that we are making our utmost effort for the UN reforms," he said. "We'll do our best to push our plan forward and gain understanding from the United States."
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The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all change to silver glass...and then you see it...
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Flip-Floppin' North Korea wants talks again...
