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August 20, 2009

New Mexico Governor, N. Korean Diplomats Continue Talks
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=261BB1B:A6F02AD83191E16080F01D24E637970F0531BB26A5003E7B&
 
Governor Bill Richardson to meet again with North Korean diplomats, in
what he calls a 'hopeful sign' of improving Washington-Pyongyang
relations 
N.M. Gov. Bill Richardson (C) meets with N. Korean Minister Kim Myong
Gil (R) and advisor to the Gov., K. A, Tony Namung in Santa Fe, 19 Aug
2009The governor of the southwestern U.S. state of New Mexico, Bill
Richardson, will host more rare talks with North Korean diplomats
Thursday, in what he calls a "hopeful sign" of improving relations
between Washington and Pyongyang. Richardson and the two visiting
diplomats will meet for their second and final day of talks in Sante Fe.
Richardson told CNN Wednesday that he detected a lessening of tension
during his talks. The veteran negotiator and former U.N. Ambassador also
said North Korea is seeking direct negotiations with the U.S.The State
Department said the Obama administration facilitated the meeting, but
that the governor was not asked to convey any message to Pyongyang.
Richardson is not representing the White House. State Department
spokesman Ian Kelly said the goal of U.S. policy continues to be the
denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. He said the U.S. also wants
North Korea to return to six-party talks, in which the nation has been
offered aid and diplomatic incentives to disarm. Richardson has been a
diplomatic troubleshooter for past U.S. administrations to North Korea
and elsewhere and has traveled to the reclusive nation, as recently as
2007.The United States and North Korea do not have diplomatic relations,
and envoys attached to Pyongyang's United Nations mission are normally
restricted from traveling beyond a 40-kilometer radius from New York.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.


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