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U.S. hints at softer stance on NK
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The United States has hinted it could soften its stance on North Korea's nuclear program by giving non-aggression assurances before the program is completely dismantled. Pyongyang has consistently demanded a guarantee from the United States that it will not attack North Korea, and threatened to test a nuclear weapon because of what it called "hostile" U.S. policy. The U.S. says it has no intention to attack North Korea but says Pyongyang must completely dismantle its nuclear program -- to agree to a non-aggression pact before that would be to surrender to blackmail. However a senior U.S. State Department official told CNN Thursday the United States could provide North Korea with security assurances as part of a step-by-step process with Pyongyang. "Within the process, it would not be correct to say that they would have to do everything before they hear anything," the official said. The official's comments followed six-party talks in Beijing aimed at encouraging Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear program in favor of better relations with the international community. The U.S. official said North Korea's presentation at the talks and subsequent propaganda about U.S. intentions towards Pyongyang were "not consistent" with what was actually discussed in Beijing. "Sometimes their script seemed to be couched by what they thought we were going to say rather than what we said," the official said, adding that the U.S. presentation was "different in tone and content" than previous discussions with North Korea in October and April. The official explained that the presentation by the U.S. delegation was intended to persuade North Korea it was in its best interests to abandon its nuclear program. He said the U.S. had expressed "serious alarm and disappointment"in previous meetings with Pyongyang. The team "made clear we do not seek to strangle North Korea," the official said, adding that the U.S. said that North Korea "has a much better future without nuclear weapons." A "sequence" of de-nuclearization measures was also mentioned, the official said, adding that some sort of security assurance could come within a "step-by-step" process of moving towards ending North Korea's nuclear program. During its opening presentation North Korea "clearly stated a dedication to a weapons-free Korean peninsula and told everyone they didn't want to have nuclear weapons," the official said. But the official went on to say that North Korea's threats to declare itself a nuclear power, made directly to the United States delegation during a private meeting, and again in front of the whole six-party group, were "taken very seriously." "These words are very disturbing," the official said, adding that the U.S. told North Korea during the talks that such threats were "based on false statements and assumptions of American foreign policy." Despite its alarming statements, the official said the North Korean delegation made a "considerable effort to be personable" during the talks. "It's a different mixture of personalities and attitudes," the official said. The official said that the U.S. does not know whether North Korea intends to test a nuclear weapon. "I hope Pyongyang realizes provocative actions can and will have consequences," and would be "detrimental" to its security, he said. Although another round of talks has not yet been set, the official said U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell was optimistic about further meetings. The official said a fresh round of talks could take place "well before the end of the year," with Beijing as a likely venue. Powell earlier dismissed North Korea's threat to conduct a nuclear test, and said the United States would not be "frightened." "I have made it clear that we have no intention of invading North Korea, of attacking North Korea, and on that basis we should find a way to move forward," Powell said Wednesday after talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Yoon Young-kwan. "We will not be frightened nor will be (caused) by such threats to take actions that we do not believe are in our interest or the interest of our partners." Powell's statements come after North Korea's parliament earlier approved a decision to increase the nation's "nuclear deterrent force" in angry reaction to what it calls a hostile U.S. policy. (N. Korea backs nuke build-up) Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have been high since October, when U.S. officials said North Korea admitted running a nuclear program in violation of international agreements. -- CNN State Department Producer Elise Labott contributed to this story
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