HIGHLIGHTS-Hillary Clinton news conference in Seoul
20 Feb 2009 02:55:10 GMT Source: Reuters
* For related story, click on [nSEO258104]) SEOUL, Feb 20 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday that North Korea should refrain from provocative actions and statements if it wants a better relationship with the United States. Following are key quotes from Clinton at a news conference with South Korea's Foreign Minister: ON NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA "The Republic of Korea's achievement of democracy and prosperity stands in stark contrast to the tyranny and poverty across the border to the North." "North Korea is not going to get a different relationship with the United States while insulting and refusing dialogue with the Republic of Korea." "... we are asking the govt of North Korea to refrain from the provocative and unhelpful war of words it has been engaged in." ON SIX-PARTY TALKS "(We will) try to convince the North Koreans to begin a process within the six-party talks toward the complete and verifiable elimination of nuclear weapons." "... we deal with the government in place right now, and that government is being asked to re-engage in the six-party talks." "(We) will be discussing what ways we can best approach North Korea so that we present a united front with respect to all of the issues that are of concern but the most immediate issue is to continue the disablement of their nuclear facilities and to get a complete and verifiable agreement as to the end of their nuclear programme." ON A POSSIBLE NORTH KOREAN MISSILE TEST "...it is clear that (under a U.N. resolution) North Korea is required to suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile programme. The North should refrain from violating this resolution and also from any and all activities that could harm the six-party talks and aggravate tensions in the region." ON SUCCESSION PROBLEMS IN NORTH KOREA "... when you are thinking about the future dealings with a government that doesn't have any clear succession -- they don't have a vice president, they don't have a prime minister -- that it is something you have to think about." ON WHETHER SUCCESSION COMMENTS WILL PROVOKE THE NORTH "I do not (think so)". I think that all one has to do is read the press; the open press is filled with such conversations. This is not some kind of classified matter that is not being discussed in many circles." (Writing by Jerry Norton; Editing by Jeremy Laurence) (jerry.norton@reuters.com; +65 6870 3815)
Journalists chant slogans during a protest against the killing of a journalist in Swat Valley February 19, 2009. Gunmen killed a journalist in Pakistan's northwestern Swat Valley, his brother said on ...
