US welcomes outcome of Koizumi's visit to Pyongyang

WASHINGTON (AFP) May 22, 2004
The United States on Saturday welcomed the outcome of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to North Korea and voiced hope that it will lead to more progress on the issue of Pyongyang's nuclear program.

"We welcome the results of Prime Minister Koizumi's visit and hope for further progress on the issues of concern to the US and Japan," said Brenda Greenberg, a State Department spokeswoman.

"We note that Prime Minister Koizumi stressed the necessity for a complete nuclear disarmament and international verification," she added.

Secretary of State Colin Powell discussed the results of the trip Saturday with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi, the spokeswoman said.

Koizumi said that Kim Jong-Il had pledged to work for a solution to the 20-month standoff over North Korea's nuclear weapons programs at ongoing six-nation talks involving the two Koreas, Japan, China, the United States and Russia.

"Chairman Kim Jong-Il said he aimed to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. He said he wanted to make efforts towards a peaceful solution by utilizing the six-way talks," Koizumi said in Tokyo.

"The most beneficial thing for both countries would be to change from hostile relations to friendly relations, and from opposition to cooperation. That's why I came," the prime minister added.

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