Because China and Russia are annoyed wit h NK

“North Korea Agrees To Disarmament Talks
U.S. Will Offer Ways To End Nuclear Programs In 'Irreversible' Manner
Posted: 6:55 a.m. EDT August 1, 2003
Updated: 10:45 a.m. EDT August 1, 2003


WASHINGTON -- It could be a step forward in efforts to break the nuclear stalemate with North Korea.

The North is confirming that it's agreed with U.S. demands to hold multilateral talks on its suspected nuclear weapons program.

An unnamed North Korean spokesman said Pyongyang agreed to talks involving South Korea, the United States, Japan, China and Russia after Washington told the North the two sides could meet separately during those multilateral talks.

North Korea said it will continue to push for one-on-one talks with the United States during the proposed negotiations.

North Korea has tried for months to lure the United States into a discussion leading to a nonaggression pact.

U.S. Will Offer Ways To End Nuclear Programs In 'Irreversible' Manner

The United States will offer specific proposals on how North Korea can end its nuclear stalemate now that the communist nation appears ready to hold multilateral talks.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the United States will bring ideas to the table on how the North can end its nuclear programs "in a verifiable and irreversible manner."

It's still unclear when the proposed talks will take place.”