US, Korea start diplomatic talks
According to diplomatic sources, the talks could continue the whole day on Tuesday.
By PTI |
New York: Senior officials from the US and North Korea began landmark talks here which could finally lead to normalisation of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
According to diplomatic sources, the talks could continue the whole day on Tuesday, after North Korean vice foreign minister Kim Kye Gwan and US Assistant Secretary Christopher Hill held the first round of talks Monday.
The two leaders are expected to discuss modalities for the Working Group led by them and process which could lead to North Korea being taken off America's list of sponsors of terrorism and establishment of bilateral trade relations.
US officials sought to downplay the expectations from the first high-level contact between the two countries in more than 50 years since the end of the Korean war. The officials said it has to be a step by step process.
In 2002, US President George Bush had branded North Korea as part of an axis of evil. However, the high-level meeting, analysts say, may result in major shift of policy as North Korea's main aim had been to seek recognition from the United States.
Under the February 13 multi-stage agreement at the China sponsored six-party talks, North Korea had agreed to shut down its main nuclear facility at Yongbyon by mid-April as a part of dismantling its nuclear weapon programme. This was in return for 50,000 tons of fuel oil.
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