If at First You Don’t Succeed ...

http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/20070117_if_at_first_you_dont_succeed/

Posted on Jan 17, 2007

The U.S. and North Korea may meet for a second, and possibly even a third round of talks following a surprise meeting.

The White House had steadfastly refused to give in to Pyongyang’s desire for direct discussions outside of the six-party talks, but the recent rendezvous between the two countries suggests there may be more flexibility in Washington these days.

Reuters via Yahoo

The bilateral talks were the first outside the framework of six-country negotiations in Beijing which began in 2003 to try to stop North Korea’s nuclear weapons ambitions.

Officials said Washington’s willingness to talk directly with Pyongyang—as North Korea has long demanded—suggests it may be ready to compromise over a crackdown on North Korea’s finances, despite a nuclear test by Pyongyang last October.

Russia’s new chief negotiator at the six-party talks has put pressure on Washington to scrap its financial sanctions against Pyongyang.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, flanked by his posse.