Former US envoy challenges Bush approach on NKorea

[Judi Lynn]

Former US envoy challenges Bush approach on NKorea



WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 — Prospects are ''grim'' for a diplomatic solution to the North Korean nuclear crisis unless the United States engages in a sustained bilateral dialogue with Pyongyang, former U.S. negotiator Charles L. ''Jack'' Pritchard said on Monday.

In his first public comments since resigning from the Bush administration three weeks ago on the eve of six-party talks in Beijing, he challenged the administration's steadfast refusal to have one-on-one negotiations with the North.

''The prospects for success unless the format is slightly altered are very grim,'' Pritchard told an event organized by The Brookings Institution, where he is now a visiting fellow.

He called for the appointment of a full-time U.S. negotiator to holds talks with Pyongyang and to coordinate with key allies like South Korea and Japan on a ''continuous basis.'' (snip/...)

http://famulus.msnbc.com/FamulusIntl/reuters09-08-085107.asp?reg=PACRIM