Bush Revealed 3 Agendas For NK-US Dialogue

George W. Bush announced yesterday the resumption of the U.S.- North dialogue, which had been suspended after the resignation of former President Bill Clinton.

U.S. President Bush remarked that the GOP administration had reviewed the North Korean policies for past for months and recently completed it. ``I commanded the National Security Team to resume `serious discussions` on a `broad agenda,``` he stated yesterday.

Bush cited three major topics to discuss with the North: "improved implementation of the Agreed Framework relating to North Korea`s nuclear activities; verifiable constraints on North Korea`s missile programs and a ban on its missile exports; and a less threatening conventional military posture."

North Korea has not yet responded to the U.S.`s announcement of the resumption of the North-U.S. dialogue.

Bush did not reveal the timetable and the level of the dialogue. However, a high official of the Bush administration anticipated that the dialogue will start from a lower level [than an ambassador level] then will be upgraded to a higher level in the process of dialogues.

Clinton Administration had made an important progress in the North-U.S. dialogue and continued the high officials contacts, including former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright`s visit to North Korea, where she met with Chairperson Kim Jong-Il.

Bush said that he would seek to encourage progress toward North-South reconciliation, the peace of the Korean peninsula, the regional security. He also remarked, "If North Korea responds affirmatively and takes appropriate action, we will expand our efforts to help the North Korean people, ease sanctions, and take other political steps."

Bush revealed that those goals were discussed with President Kim Dae-Jung when President Kim officially visited the U.S. and he added that he will continue to cooperate with South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung.

Han Ki-Heung eligius@donga.com