Powell Weighs Agreement With N. Korea

[Khephra]

Powell Weighs Agreement With N. Korea
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: October 10, 2003


Filed at 5:07 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Secretary of State Colin Powell said Friday he is weighing the possibility of addressing North Korean security concerns through a formal, written agreement in which Pyongyang's neighbors would participate.

With negotiations over North Korea's weapons programs at a stalemate, Powell said in an interview with a small group of reporters that his aides have been looking for historical precedents that could be applied to the situation.

``My folks have come up with models that span 80 years,'' Powell said, declining to cite examples. ``We will explore ideas with our friends in the weeks ahead.''

Six-party talks held in Beijing in late August were inconclusive and there has been no agreement to hold follow-up discussions.

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http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Powell-North-Korea.html