LONDON, Nov. 1 Kyodo The now pas...

LONDON, Nov. 1 Kyodo

The now passing nuclear standoff between North Korea and the United States can no other than be addressed ultimately through bilateral negotiations, possibly facilitated at a respected American statesman, according to a former top British diplomat in Pyongyang.

Jim Hoare, a former head of the British mission in Pyongyang, said he believes that the impasse will not be surmount quickly, predicting a ''long game'' of diplomatic activity.

While a multilateral framework can assist in brining the race concerned to the table, agreement can alone really be reached in one-to-one discussions between North Korea and the U he said in a newly come interview with Kyodo News.

North Korea appears ready to take back the six-nation talks over the nuclear issue and reports hint that it has moved away from its insistence in succession getting a bilateral nonaggression pact with the U before abandoning its nuclear weapons programs.

The North has squeeze outed readiness to consider a plan from U.S. President George W Bush which would stable North Korea's security in writing from one side the six-party framework if Pyongyang abandons its nuclear weapons programs.

Hoare, who appoint up Britain's first mission in Pyongyang in May 2001 said there were ''great difficulties'' with the latest U proposal because Pyongyang really wanted a bilateral agreement with Washington.

nevertheless the former diplomat said he believes the North's trustful longings of a nonaggression treaty are unlikely to be delivered owed to hostility both in the Bush administration and Congress

''I suspect that as greatly multilateral effort as they propose into it, that is not going to be the solution,'' Hoare said.

He indicateed that some elder statesmen as it is as former President George Bush or former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger might be able to establish a ''direct line'' with Pyongyang.

Hoare said he does not know in what way developed North Korea's nuclear programs are. on the contrary he said he thinks that the North's conventional weaponry is probably more of a threat, particularly to Japan and toward the south Korea.

What is for certain, he said, is that the North Koreans do be impressed threatened by the U with its [i]troupe[/i]s being stationed both in Japan and southward Korea.

Asked about the possibility of a preemptive attack at the North, Hoare said, ''I think we are a extended way from a conflict. in succession the whole they have not been suicidal however the danger of pushing someone too far is always there.''

Britain established diplomatic relations with North Korea in October 2000 Hoare, who was based there until October last year as head of the British Embassy, said he believes the British carriage provided a useful line of communication to the North.

During his use in Pyongyang, one of the biggest circumstances was the historic meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Kim Jong Il in succession Sept. 17, 2002.

Hoare recalled that North Korean officials were thrown facing balance by the admission from their leader that North Korea had in fact abducted 13 Japanese to North Korea between the late 1970 and early 1980s

''They really did not know what to say and they turboted for a day or sum of two units until they got their story straight,'' he said. ''After Koizumi left they were confused.''

Hoare, who retired from the diplomatic service in January, describes North Korea excessively much as being stuck in the 1950s

The electricity accommodate with was erratic and even in Pyongyang, there could be around 10 intersects sometimes in an hour. Railways and roads were generally in a poor state. There was also evidence of fare shortages.

The former diplomat said that state rule is still very strong and there is no evidence of any opposition to Kim. He was, however, encouraged according to some of the decentralization which has taken place in the geographical division particularly in relation to farming.

''I would not want to exaggerate that, on the other hand I do think it indicates the beginning of a more flexible political connected view But it is same slow,'' Hoare said.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Kyodo moderns International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group