US again downplays informal talks with NK
"There's no US government involvement here. This is done by private citizens and typically they discuss a range of issues. But the United States government isn't sponsoring them. There's no government involvement in it," State Department spokesman John Kirby said at a regular briefing Monday.
Kirby was referring to the two days of meetings held in Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur last week between North Korean diplomats, including Vice Foreign Minister Han Song-ryol, and former nuclear negotiators Robert Gallucci and Joseph DeTrani.
The rare meetings drew keen attention as they could signal Pyongyang's willingness to reopen the long-stalled negotiations with the US amid heightened tensions in the wake of its fifth nuclear test and a series of missile launches.
The talks have also raised concern they could undermine international efforts to tighten sanctions on Pyongyang by giving an impression of flexibility on the part of the North. Both South Korea and the US have downplayed the talks as "Track 2" discussions unrelated to government.
"The Track 2 stuff is unofficial. It's private citizens and they talk about a range of issues. And as I said, they do this independent of any US government involvement," Kirby said.
He said the US is open to talks with the North, but said Pyongyang should prove it's serious about denuclearization.
"We remain open to dialogue with the DPRK with the aim of returning to credible and authentic negotiations about the denuclearization of the peninsula. But as we've also said, the onus is on the North to prove that they're able, willing and ready to join in those discussions through the six-party process, and they have not," he said. (Yonhap)
未经允许不得转载:>旅游新闻 » US again downplays informal talks with NK
相关推荐
- 21 Caves That Offer Otherworldly Experiences
- Apple says it will unveil new products in upcoming months
- Google employees demand Palestine support in letter to CEO
- Study reveals potential of hydropower dams topped with floating solar
- LG Display starts production of advanced OLED displays for gaming
- UN allows sanctions exception for military hotline recovery
- Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya are watching you (and yes, it's a meme)
- 国联水产携多款“亿元级大单品”水产预制菜亮相东博会