Russia urges early start of North Korean nuclear talks
Russia wants talks
to address North Korea's nuclear weapons programme
to begin soon, regardless of Moscow's own participation,
visiting Deputy Foreign minister Alexander Losyukov
said here today.
"It is important
that regardless of Russia's participation, talks --
in whatever format the dialogue is -- must open at
an early date," Losyukov was quoted by officials
here as telling South Korea's foreign minister Yoon
Young-Kwan.
Russia, one of North
Korea's few allies, has been seeking a role in talks
between Pyongyang and Washington on the standoff over
North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
It is among several
countries pushing for new talks as a follow up to
those held in Beijing in April and attended by China.
"Russia, which
supports China's mediator role, will make a due contribution
(at talks) in close cooperation with South Korea,"
said Losyukov, who was in Seoul to attend a Korea-Russia
economic cooperation committee meeting.
The talks have stumbled
on their format: while North Korea has been pushing
for one-on-one dialogue with the United States, Washington
wants regional powers to be included.
Last week Russian
foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said
Russia should also play a role.
"If the formula
were opened out, Russian participation would be logical,"
he told reporters.
Seoul,
July 21, 2003 (Zee News)
