US says NKorea's offer to talk is inadequate

[January 11, 2011]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- The State Department says North Korea's offer to hold talks with South Korea falls short of what is needed to demonstrate that it is serious about seeking better relations.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Monday the North has entered what he called a "charm stage," following a "provocative stage" last year that included an artillery attack on a South Korean island that killed four people.

Crowley said the North's offers to hold talks with the South are helpful but insufficient. What is needed, he said, is a public pledge by the North to refrain from further military provocations and to engage in sustained negotiations.

Crowley said North Korea will be a topic of discussion when President Barack Obama meets Chinese President Hu Jintao (hoo jihn-tow) next week.

[Associated Press]

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