U.S.-N. Korea talks acceptable under 6-way framework: Japan

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TOKYO, Sept. 14 Kyodo -
Japan accepts the U.S. idea of engaging in direct bilateral talks with North
Korea as long as it is under the framework of the six-party talks on disbanding
Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal, Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka indicated
Monday.
''If it is to help the six-party talks move forward, it is one effort (that can
be made),'' the ministry's top bureaucrat said after U.S. State Department
spokesman Philip Crowley showed a softening U.S. stance by expressing readiness
to engage in the bilateral dialogue.
''Our idea is that the six-party talks is the most effective and realistic
venue to deal with this (nuclear) issue. And the dialogue between the United
States and North Korea has taken place within that framework,'' Yabunaka told a
press conference.
In Washington, Crowley said the bilateral dialogue, to be held ''within the
six-party context,'' is ''designed to convince North Korea to come back to the
six-party process and to take affirmative steps toward denuclearization.''
Crowley's remarks appear to be a sign that the United States is softening its
stance, as Washington has been reluctant to hold direct dialogue with Pyongyang
unless North Korea makes clear its intention to return to the six-party talks.
North Korea said in April it would quit the six-party talks with the United
States, China, South Korea, Japan and Russia in protest at a U.N. Security
Council statement denouncing a rocket launch it conducted, which was widely
seen as a disguised missile test.
On May 25, North Korea staged a second nuclear test and the U.N. Security
Council adopted a resolution aimed at punishing the country.
==Kyodo