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N. Korea softens talks stance
SEOUL, South Korea -- North Korea has seemingly softened its stance on the format of talks over ending its nuclear program, but the timing of further negotiations remains elusive. North Korea's Foreign Affairs Minister So Chol said on CNN the basic problem between the United States and North Korea was the nuclear issue. "The nuclear issue arose because the United States' hostile policy towards North Korea," the minister said. "If this matter is fundamentally resolved, we are not too bothered about the format of talks, about whether they be bilateral or multilateral talks," he said. North Korea in the past has been insisting any talks on the nuclear issue primarily be between itself and the United States only. Washington, however, maintains the nuclear program is a regional issue and countries such as South Korea, China and Japan should also be involved. Preliminary talks were held between the U.S. and North Korea in April this year, but little progress was made and no date has been set for the next round of negotiations. Korea analyst Ray Jovanovich told CNN Wednesday said Pyongyang's comments on not being bothered by the format of talks was very encouraging and that it was important to keep engaging the North. U.S. Undersecretary of State John Bolton is in Seoul Wednesday for talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Yoon Young-kwan and other officials about how to end North Korea's suspected development of nuclear weapons. After meeting with Chinese officials in Beijing on Monday, Bolton said that he could give no indication of when a new round of nuclear talks with North Korea might take place. Bolton said China has been trying to get the talks restarted and had done it all it could diplomatically to achieve this, The Associated Press reports. (Willy Lam analysis) South Korea's national Yonhap news agency reported Tuesday that China has "very recently" delivered the U.S. proposal for talks to North Korea through Pyongyang's embassy in Beijing. "We believe North Korea is in the phase of contemplating the U.S. proposal," Yonhap quoted an unnamed South Korean government official as saying. Washington also wants the United Nations Security Council to adopt a statement calling on North Korea to abandon its nuclear programs, a stance which may be hindering progress on talks. Bolton did not agree, however, saying the U.N. effort was "complementary" and "appropriate." China does not favor the Security Council making a statement on North Korea and as a permanent member can veto any such move. China has traditional close ties to North Korea, but in recent decades has developed close economic relationships with South Korea and Japan. Copyright 2003 CNN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.
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