U.S. dismisses DPRK demand on peace treaty [View All]

[StarfarerBill]

Source: Xinhua News Agency

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 -- The United States on Tuesday dismissed a proposal by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on negotiating a peace treaty, saying the first and foremost thing for Pyongyang is to return to the six-party talks.

"The appropriate next step is for North Korea to return to the six-party talks and to resume deliberations in this context. And within that context, it's possible to have bilateral interactions and other discussions, not just with the United States but with other countries," said Kurt Campbell, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

Pyongyang on Monday renewed its demands of negotiating a peace treaty and lifting sanctions before it would return to the six- party talks, saying failure for the discussion on concluding a peace treaty to start would consequently "push back the process of denuclearization."

"The U.S. position, which is very firm and in close coordination with our allies and friends in the six-party talks, is that it would be inappropriate at this juncture to lift sanctions or to revisit aspects of UN Security Council Resolution 1874, given the current circumstances," said Campbell.

"It's important that North Korea make clear that they are prepared to abide by previous agreements in 2005 and 2007," he added.

Read more: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-01/20/c_13143110.htm