Former president Jimmy Carter on Tuesday gave a rundown on his visit to North Korea to the current US administration, which insisted that Pyongyang carry out commitments before any negotiations.
Carter, who last week brought home an American teacher who was imprisoned in North Korea, spoke about his trip with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, officials said. Carter declined to speak to waiting reporters.
While the administration said Carter was on a private mission to free 30-year-old Aijalon Mahli Gomes, the former president also met number two leader Kim Yong-Nam who voiced support for resuming nuclear disarmament talks.
State Department spokesman Philip Crowley reiterated the US stance that North Korea must end "provocative and belligerent behavior" and comply with a 2005 agreement on denuclearization before any talks.
"If we see evidence that North Korea is prepared to move in that direction, then we are open to further engagement," Crowley told reporters.
But discussions about North Korea have been gathering pace. Crowley said that China's envoy on North Korea, Wu Dawei, would visit Washington on Wednesday for talks.
"I'm certain that the Chinese will give us their perspective based on the meetings that have taken place in recent days in China," Crowley said.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il -- who, contrary to many observers' expectations, did not meet Carter -- paid a five-day visit through Monday to China, the main political and economic partner of impoverished Pyongyang.
Wu held talks on Wednesday in Japan and also visited Pyongyang and Seoul in August.
Tensions have been running high on the peninsula since the March sinking of South Korean warship the Cheonan, which killed 46 sailors. Seoul and Washington blame a North Korean torpedo attack.
Copyright 2010  AFP American Edition
