US delegation arrives in DPRK to estimate food situation

PYONGYANG, May 24 (Itar-Tass) -- A US delegation, which arrived in the
DPRK on Tuesday, will estimate the food situation in this country. The
delegation includes special envoy of the US president for issues of human
rights in the DPRK Robert King and deputy assistant of the leader of the
US Agency for International Development for issues of rendering aid to
other countries in emergencies Jon Brause, as well as a group of experts
for food security.
Swedish diplomats, who represent interests of Washington in Pyongyang,
met the US delegation in the airport. During the visit, which will last
until May 28, they will hold talks with North Korean officials.
According to Chairman of the US State Department Mark Toner, the trip
of the US delegation doesn't mean that the United States will render food
aid to the DPRK, however, an estimate of needs will be the first step for
it.
According to an estimate of the UN World Food Programme, among the
factors which caused food shortages in the DPRK were calamities, unusually
cold winter and bad harvest. Besides, as experts believe, one should take
into account the rise of prices of grain in the world, as well as the
worsening of inter-Korean relations which led to the stoppage of supplies
of rice and fertilizers from South Korea to the North.