Bosworth: U.S. Must Continue Engaging North Korea
November 7, 2011 2:07 pm (EST)
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Former U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy, Stephen W. Bosworth, says he expects a resumption of "formal dialogue with the North Koreans on issues of substance some time in the relatively near future, both perhaps bilaterally, but also in the multilateral Six-Party Talks." Bosworth stresses that whether North Korea’s denuclearization is perceived as achievable or not, the United States "cannot abandon that as our ultimate goal."
Bosworth, who recently stepped down as Special Representative, said he would advise a successor dealing with the North Koreans "to be patient, to understand that they have their perceptions of their national interest and we can’t ignore those, and that we have to stay engaged. We have to continue to be willing to talk to them," he says, "as difficult as that can be both politically and materially."