The president announced the policy shift four days before he leaves for Europe, where allies have criticized him for suspending talks with the North begun by President Clinton. That tough line also has upset South Korea because it prompted North Korea to halt goodwill gestures, such as family reunions, between the divided nations. If North Korea takes appropriate action, we will expand our efforts to help the North Korean people. Bush's new policy strikes a middle ground between critics and proponents of negotiations. It does not call for altering a U.S.-North Korea deal in 1994 that trades two civilian nuclear reactors in return for a freeze on the North's nuclear program.
Some Republicans say they want to replace the reactors with conventional power plants.
To appease critics, the policy stresses the need for North Korea to keep its pledge to let international inspectors check how much weapons-grade plutonium the North produced before the nuclear freeze in 1994. U.S. officials estimate the North has enough plutonium for one or two bombs. A State Department envoy will lead the talks. In the past, the North has made major deals only with top officials.