North Korea (L) and U.S. flags © Reuters
Straits Times/New York Times: US axes North Korea talks after Kim Jong Nam murder
BEIJING (NYTIMES) - After approving plans on Friday (Feb 24) for informal talks in New York between a North Korean delegation and former US officials, the Trump administration reversed course hours later, withdrawing approval for the North Koreans' visas, said two people who were to take part in the planned talks.
The schedule called for the two sides to meet in early March, and arrangements were underway for the six-member North Korean group, led by Choe Son Hui, who runs the US affairs bureau of the North's Foreign Ministry, to travel to New York.
The organiser of the talks, the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, led by Donald S. Zagoria, was told by the State Department on Friday morning that the visas would be granted.
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WNU Editor: These back-channels are always important in keeping the peace. This cancellation is a bad sign on where U.S. - North Korea relations are at the moment.
Update: Not surprised about this .... Full US Review of Policy Toward North Korea Expected (VOA).
More News On Planned Back-Channel Talks Between US And North Korea Being Cancelled
State Dept. halts plan for back-channel US-North Korea talks: report -- The Hill
First planned North Korea-U.S. contact in Trump administration canceled: WSJ -- Reuters
Unofficial US-North Korea talks dropped after State Dept denies visa to top official – report -- RT
Informal US-North Korea Talks Scrapped Over Visa Denial to Korean Diplomat -- Sputnik
"BEIJING (NYTIMES) - After approving plans on Friday (Feb 24) for informal talks in New York between a North Korean delegation and former US officials, the Trump administration reversed course hours later, withdrawing approval for the North Koreans' visas, "
ReplyDeleteNo big surprise, for every Trump Position, there is an equal and opposite Trump Position.
ReplyDeleteThis is called the Art of the Non Deal