WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States said Monday that
it is ready to take part in a new round of six-nation talks on the nuclear
issue of the Korean peninsula.
"The US stands ready to resume the six-party talks at an early date
and without preconditions, and we are working with others to do so," White
House spokesman Trent Duffy said in a statement issued in Crawford, Texas,
where President George W. Bush is on holiday.
"Our goal in talks is the complete, verifiable and
irreversibleelimination of North Korea's nuclear programs," the spokesman
added, referring to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea(DPRK).
Duffy was responding to reports that the DPRK has indicated
willingness to attend a new round of six-nation talks which involves the
DPRK, the United States, China, South Korea, Japan and Russia.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, State Department spokesmanAdam
Ereli made a similar response. "I would say that we would like to get
talks started as soon as possible without preconditions," he said.
"I would say it's a complex diplomatic effort that requires
patience," Ereli added.
The talks, the second round of its kind, were originally scheduled
for mid-December but delayed because of differences between the United
States and the DPRK over a proposed joint
statement.