Governor Richardson calls meeting with North Koreans 'hopeful' sign

Governor Bill Richardson said his August 19 meeting with North Korean diplomats offered a “hopeful sign” of improving relations with the reclusive nation, which reiterated its desire for direct talks with the United States.  “The delegation indicated that North Korea is ready for a new dialogue with the United States regarding the nuclear issue,” Richardson said.  “The question is whether to proceed with face-to-face bilateral talks, as the North Koreans prefer, or to utilize the six-party framework that the United States has advocated.” Previous delegations with Governor Richardson and adviser Tony Namkung have been funded by Ploughshares Fund.