North Korean Military Wants to Talk to U.S.
In a somewhat unexpected move, North Korea's military has proposed direct talks with its U.S. counterpart. The Associated Press reports that the North's Korean Peoples Army proposed that a UN representative also attend the talks "for the purpose of discussing the issues related to ensuring the peace and security on the Korean peninsula."
The invitation comes as hopes are rising for a new peace treaty to replace the 54-year-old ceasefire between the North and South. Technically, the Korean peninsula is still in a state of war.
"It is easy to miss a chance, but difficult to get it,'' the statement said. It's unclear why North Korea has made the offer at this time. The U.S. military said it will study the invitation.
But the BBC notes that the North Korean military's statement wasn't completely friendly. It warned that U.S. pressure could end a key disarmament deal that gives North Korea fuel aid and political incentives in exchange for ending its nuclear program.
Nine UN inspectors left Vienna on Thursday on their way to Pyongyang. It will be the first "working" visit by an International Atomic Energy Agency team since 2002.
10:00 AM ET | 07-13-2007 | permalink
