Washington, Jan 11: The administration of president
George W Bush, awaiting the outcome of talks in new Mexico,
says North Korea must "completely dismantle" its nuclear
weapons programme.
"The only message we expect is what America's position
is, that we are ready to talk, and that we will not
negotiate," white house spokesman Ari Fleischer said.
Bill Richardson, a former UN Ambassador who is now
Governor of New Mexico, was expected to push that message
during a second day of discussions today in Santa Fe with two
North Korean UN diplomats. They met for two hours over dinner
yesterday.
"The talks were cordial but candid," Richardson's
spokesman, Billy Sparks, told a group of reporters outside the
Governor's mansion.
The Bush administration contends North Korea acted in bad
faith during the Clinton era by carrying out a secret nuclear
weapon programme in violation of agreements even as it was
displaying friendship toward Washington.
Bureau Report
