SEOUL: A trip to North Korea by two American senators yielded goodwill but little substance and even less information about the reclusive country's de facto leader.
Senator Frank Murkowski said yesterday after visiting the communist state for a little over 24 hours with Senator Paul Simon that Pyongyang clearly wanted to 'establish and improve the relationship with the United States'.
'This came up over and over again,' he said. 'We indicated we would like to improve the relationship.' Washington finds itself walking a tricky tightrope as it tries to ease tensions in the region while ensuring that North Korea fully complies with an accord signed on October 21 that is designed to dismantle its nuclear programme.
Under the pact, the United States agreed to supply North Korea with two modern reactors, worth US$4 billion (HK$30.92 billion); grant limited diplomatic recognition; and provide oil for 10 years while the reactors are being built.
Senator Murkowski has criticised the agreement, saying it gives North Korea too much time - five years - to open all of its nuclear facilities to international inspection.
Over that period, the new light-water reactors, which produce far less weapons-grade plutonium, would be about half-finished at major expense to the United States, Japan and South Korea.
