US says reaching out to N Korea on nuclear tests
: The Donald Trump administration acknowledged on Saturday for the first time that it was in direct communication with the government of North Korea over its missile and nuclear tests, seeking a possible way forward beyond the escalating threats of a military confrontation from both sides.
“We are probing, so stay tuned,” secretary of state Rex Tillerson said, when pressed about how he might begin a conversation with Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, that could avert what many government officials fear is a significant chance of open conflict between the two countries.
“We ask, ‘Would you like to talk?’ We have lines of communications to Pyongyang — we’re not in a dark situation, a blackout,” he added.
The two countries have been trading public threats over North Korea’s nuclear program, with the North declaring that its missiles
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have the capacity to strike the US and Trump vowing to “totally destroy” North Korea.
So far, the North Koreans have shown no interest in a serious negotiation.
For his part, Tillerson gave no indication of what the administration might be willing to give up if talks began, and Trump has made clear he would make no concessions.
ITALY ORDERS N KOREA ENVOY TO GO BACK
Italy has ordered North Korea’s incoming new ambassador to leave the country in a protest over Kim ’s missile launches and nuclear tests.
Foreign minister Angelino Alfano said: “We want to make Pyongyang understand that isolation is inevitable if it does not change course.”