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Hillary Clinton reiterates call for DPRK talks

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-05 19:24

NAIROBI: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) release of two American journalists was separate from nuclear non-proliferation talks and reiterated a US appeal for it to return to negotiations.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addresses the opening session of the eighth Africa Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA) Forum in Kenya's capital Nairobi, August 5, 2009. [Agencies]

At a news conference in Nairobi with Kenyan Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula, she denied that her husband, former US President Bill Clinton, had apologized during a visit to Pyongyang that secured the release of the two women.

"That's not true. That did not occur," she said.

The journalists work for Current TV, an American TV outlet co-founded by Bill Clinton's vice president, Al Gore. They were arrested for illegally entering the DPRK from China.

They were each sentenced to 12 years' hard labour in June.

Related readings:  Hillary Clinton: Reporters 'excited' to come home  Journalists leave Pyongyang aboard Clinton's plane  DPRK releases two American journalists  Clinton meets two US journalists detained in DPRK  Clinton meets Kim Jong-il: Yonhap

"We have always considered that a totally separate issue from our efforts to re-engage the North Koreans and have them return to the six-party talks and work for a commitment for the full, verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," Clinton said.

Analysts say Washington faces a tricky task trying to convince the DPRK to give up ambitions of becoming a nuclear weapons power without being seen to reward it for repeated military acts or ignoring regional demands.

"The future of our relationships with the North Koreans is really up to them. They have a choice," Clinton said.

Pyongyang could either pursue a path filled with provocative actions, or decide to return to the negotiating table, she said.

"We have always said that there would be a chance to discuss bilateral matters with the North Koreans within that regional context. That is still the offer today, so it is up to them."

Clinton had earlier said she was "very happy and relieved" that the two journalists were flying back to California with the former president to be reunited with their families.

"I spoke to my husband on the airplane and everything went well. We are extremely excited," she said. "It's just a good day to be able to see this happen."