(dpa/NAN)
The U.S. on Wednesday said it was open to negotiating with North Korea following this week’s historic nuclear deal with Iran, a news report said.
“Progress in the nuclear talks with Iran clearly demonstrates our willingness to engage countries with whom the U.S. has long-standing differences.
“The U.S. is prepared for such negotiations with North Korea, provided that they are authentic and credible.
“Also, provided we get at the entirety of the North’s nuclear programme, and result in concrete and irreversible steps toward denuclearization,’’ State Department spokesman, John Kirby, said.
The comments were made after Iran and six world powers, including the U.S., reached an agreement limiting Iran’s nuclear capability while lifting economic sanctions on the Middle Eastern country.
“A deal with North Korea remains a U.S. priority,’’ Kirby said.
Analysts cautioned that the Iran nuclear deal should not necessarily jumpstart negotiations with North Korea.
“I do not think North Korea is interested in such talks since its policies have been successful in building up its nuclear arsenal while moving forward with some economic improvements.
“The Iran deals would also almost certainly embroil the Obama administration in a domestic political debate over its provisions and implementation,’’ Joel Wit, editor of website 38 North said.
According to Douglas Paal, Director, Asia Programme, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace the two situations are not analogous.
“Iran’s nuclear programme was an option, not a prerequisite for the regime’s survival while Pyongyang’s weapons’ programme was central to its survival,’’ Paal said,
