U.S. considers resuming dialogue with North Korea

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei -- The Bush administration is weighing resuming dialogue with North Korea after Secretary of State Colin Powell held the first face-to-face U.S.-North Korea meeting since President George W. Bush labeled Pyongyang part of an "axis of evil" during his January State of theUnion address.

On a day of heavy diplomacy, Powell also voiced concern to Russia's foreign minister over Moscow's support of a nuclear power plant in Iran.

Powell told China's foreign minister in a separate meeting the United States will ensure Taiwan can defend itself, no matter what Chinese buildup is directed against the island.

The meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sum occurred midmorning, when Powell went to the delegates' lounge at the conference of Pacific rim nations.

Powell asked an aide to find Paek, and they were soon sipping coffee together, the first high-level U.S.-North Korean contact since Secretary of State Madeleine Albright visited Pyongyang 21 months ago.

Paek told reporters the two officials had agreed to resume dialogue, but a U.S. official said Bush would decide on the next steps after talking with Powell.

Richard Boucher, Powell's spokesman, said in a statement that Powell reaffirmed the president's policy during the meeting. He also said in any future discussions, the U.S. would want to emphasize U.S. concerns over Pyongyang's weapons proliferation, its compliance with a 1994 U.S.-North Korean agreement on nuclear issues and the massive North Korean military presence near the South Korean border.