Washington is willing to consider energy aid for North Korea if it ends nuclear weapons development, a US envoy said Monday.
The comments by Assistant US Secretary of State James Kelly raised the possibility that the United States was willing to make a deal with North Korea to resolve concerns over its nuclear activities.
"Once we get beyond nuclear weapons, there may be opportunities with the US, with private investors, with other countries to help North Korea in the energy area," Kelly said during a news conference in Seoul, cited by AP.
Previously, American officials said they would not reward Pyongyang for abandoning its nuclear programs, saying discussions of aid and better relations must follow steps to dismantle those programs.
However, Kelly appeared to be offering a "carrot" to North Korea, which insisted Sunday that it never admitted having a secret nuclear program, sending another conflicting signal in the escalating crisis over its alleged plans to build nuclear weapons.
"We are willing to talk to North Korea about their response to the international community," on the nuclear issue, Kelly said. "I think we're just going to wait to see."
Kelly arrived in South Korea on Sunday, where he met with President-elect Roh Moo-hyun. Kelly also planned to meet Foreign Minister Choi Sung-hong and two presidential security advisers - Yim Sung-joon and Lim Dong-won.
He is expected to travel Tuesday to China, as well as Singapore, Indonesia and Japan. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
