N.Korea says nuclear talks are illogical

By Jon Herskovitz

SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea sees no point in returning to
six-country nuclear talks because of U.S. sanctions, Pyongyang
said on Monday, adding Washington would probably veto any deal
to end the North’s atomic ambitions anyway.

The United States has clamped down on several companies it
suspects of aiding North Korea in counterfeiting, money
laundering and the drug trade, saying the illicit business has
helped fund Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons programs.

“Under the present situation it is illogical to discuss
with the U.S., the assailant, the issue of dismantling the
nuclear deterrent built up by the DPRK for self-defense,” a
spokesman for the North Korean Foreign Ministry said in answer
to a question put by the official KCNA news agency.

DPRK is short for North Korea’s official name, the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Such statements from its
Foreign Ministry are generally considered one of the most
authoritative forms of communication with the outside world.

“Even if any agreement is reached between the parties
concerned, it is likely to be overturned by a person in high
authority of the U.S.,” the spokesman said.

There was no immediate reaction from Washington.

Talks among the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the
United States have hit a snag because of the U.S. crackdown on
North Korea’s finances. Pyongyang has previously threatened to
boycott the talks until the sanctions are lifted.

Washington says the sanctions and the six-party talks are
separate matters. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said
last week Washington intends to continue the crackdown.

FEELING THE PRESSURE?

In September 2005, the United States banned American
institutions from doing business with a Macau-based bank due to
U.S. suspicions it helped North Korea launder money.

A month later, it blacklisted eight North Korean companies
for allegedly supporting Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons programs.

“North Korea is feeling the pressure (from the crackdown)
and believes the United States is out to kill them,” said Paik
Hak-soon, the head of North Korea studies at Sejong Institute
think tank south of Seoul.

Per capita income in North Korea ranks among the lowest in
the world and the country has few trading partners.

Paik added North Korea may be using the crackdown as a way
to shift the blame to Washington if the six-party talks break
down.

North Korea has denied the charges of illegal activity and
called for the United States to lift the sanctions. The Foreign
Ministry spokesman reiterated the denial on Monday.

“We examined the information the U.S. side provided to us,
claiming that it was the motive of its application of
sanctions,” the spokesman said. “Such things cited by it,
however, have never happened in our country.”

A South Korean official familiar with the six-party talks
said Seoul and others were working break the deadlock.

“We are all trying to move toward resumption of the talks
while not undermining the principles. The United States is
probably doing the same,” the official said by telephone.

South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon said in an
interview published on Monday in the Korea Herald newspaper he
was optimistic about the prospects for the nuclear talks, but
thought it would be difficult for them to resume before the
North and the United States are expected to meet later this
month.

(Additional reporting by Jack Kim)