“Listening to the Voice of Freedom and Truth Is Illegal in North Korea”

U.S. President George W. Bush denounced on 25th that “under some regimes, particularly North Korea, simply listening to the voices of freedom and truth will be treated as a crime.”

Bush emphasized at his speech to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Voice of America (VOA), “it`s because the oppressors cannot survive in the air of truth.“

He also appraised VOA that “VOA has shown the firm resolution and the strength of freedom to the people who live in the system insisting that the democracy is weak and vulnerable. VOA has never be neutral in between the U.S. and the enemy of the U.S., the terrorists and the anti-terrorists, freedom and totalitarianism.”

However, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell revealed at a press conference after meeting with Spain Foreign Minister on 25th,“we will continue the dialogues and negotiations with North Korea and Iran and the sanctions to Iraq in cooperation with UN, keeping open to all possible options.”

Richard Bauer, the spokesperson of the State Department said at a regular briefing in terms of the operation of the New York channel between the North and the U.S., “we have a regular meeting with the North. However, I have no idea whether there is any particular timetable set up.”

eligius@donga.com