|
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is expected to attend a concert by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra in Pyongyang on Feb. 26, according to Radio Free Asia Tuesday. The orchestra won an agreement from the North to play the U.S. anthem at the Pyongyang concert.
RFA said U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice could use that moment to visit North Korea to seek a breakthrough in deadlocked six-nation nuclear talks, attending the concert along with the North Korean leader.
The U.S. top diplomat is scheduled to attend the inauguration ceremony of South Korean president-elect Lee Myung-bak on Feb. 25 before flying to Japan and China. But a change in the itinerary is possible, the broadcaster predicted. Rice will be accompanied by the U.S. top envoy to the six-party talks Christopher Hill.
RFA quoted a diplomatic source in Washington as saying the North had announced Kim¡¯s plan to watch the concert, expecting a ¡°corresponding¡± U.S. top official to come.
However, many in Washington say if Rice¡¯s visit produces no meaningful results, the Bush administration will have another problem on its hands and will have to take a tougher line with the North, which is some 45 days behind on a deadline to declare all its nuclear programs and stockpiles.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
|
