--- SEARCH ---
WEATHER
CHINA
INTERNATIONAL
BUSINESS
CULTURE
GOVERNMENT
SCI-TECH
ENVIRONMENT
SPORTS
LIFE
PEOPLE
TRAVEL
WEEKLY REVIEW
Film in China
War on Poverty
Learning Chinese
Learn to Cook Chinese Dishes
Exchange Rates
Hotel Service
China Calendar


Hot Links
China Development Gateway
Chinese Embassies

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the UN
Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland
Foreign Affairs College
Australian FM Visits Pyongyang to Prompt Nuclear Freeze

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer arrived in Pyongyang Tuesday amid reports that Australia is keen to persuade the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to accept the so-called "Libyan Mode" of freezing its nuclear weapons program unilaterally.  

Downer and his entourage were greeted at the Pyongyang Sun-an Airport by Kim Yong-il, deputy minister of foreign affairs of the DPRK.

 

Downer, who paid his first visit to the DPRK shortly after Australia and the DPRK re-established diplomatic relations in 2000,draws worldwide attention due to the timing of his second trip to the country.

 

The DPRK on Monday refused to attend the United States-proposed working group meeting in New York and urged the US to drop its hostile policy towards the DPRK and offer energy compensation to the country as a reward for a DPRK nuclear freeze, thus laying down a foundation for negotiations.

 

Downer told the Australian press before his visit that his country maintained close contacts with the DPRK in the past two years when tensions were high due to the nuclear issue.

 

During his visit, Downer is reportedly to talk with his counterpart Paek Nam-sun, and may meet DPRK's Premier Pak Bong-ju.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2004)

Print This Page
|
Email This Page
About Us SiteMap Feedback
Copyright © China Internet Information Center. All Rights Reserved
E-mail: webmaster@china.org.cn Tel: 86-10-68326688