2010. 5. 7. 01:28


QUESTION: P.J., do you have any comment on the report that Kim Jong-il said in Beijing North Korea is ready to return to Six-Party Talks?

MR. CROWLEY: I cannot verify what Kim Jong-il has said anywhere in China. We obviously are aware he’s there. It’s been reported there will be meetings between senior Chinese officials and North Korean officials tomorrow. We have shared our views with China in anticipation of this meeting. We hope that North Korea will live up to its obligations and meet its commitments. We hope that North Korea will cease its provocative behavior, but then we’ll see what comes out of the meeting tomorrow.

QUESTION: (Inaudible) your understanding was that he was there. Do you know if he has his son with him?

MR. CROWLEY: I – we do not.

QUESTION: I’m sorry, you do not know or you don’t --

MR. CROWLEY: Well, I don’t. I don’t --

QUESTION: You don’t know; not that you don’t believe that he --

MR. CROWLEY: I don’t know.

QUESTION: Thank you. That was --

QUESTION: Does the provocative behavior include anything that happened to a South Korean naval vessel a few weeks ago?

MR. CROWLEY: On that, we continue to support South Korea as it investigates that incident.

QUESTION: If I understand, then you think the response to sinking of Cheonan and the resumption of Six-Party Talks separate as two track; is that right?

MR. CROWLEY: Well, certainly, North Korea’s behavior has affected the pace of talks in the past. We are fully supportive of South Korea’s investigation, and obviously, when that investigation is completed, we will all draw conclusions and implicate – and then we’ll have potential implications. Let’s get to the end of the investigation first.

QUESTION: On Mitchell?

MR. CROWLEY: Hold. A follow-up?

QUESTION: Follow-up. You said on this podium yesterday you hope that North Korea will come back to Six-Party Talks. It means if Kim Jong-il in Beijing right now make decision and express come back to Six-Party Talks, you take part in Six-Party Talks?

MR. CROWLEY: Well, there are a couple of ifs there. Let’s see, but – I mean, we are – there are things that North Korea has to do if this process is going to move forward. And its behavior, living up to its obligations, meeting its commitments that it’s made over a number of years – those are things that North Korea has to do. And let’s see what they’re prepared to do. Meanwhile, we’ll take note of the meeting tomorrow and we’ll continue to work with South Korea on this investigation.

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2010/5/141541.htm

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