WASHINGTON, July 16 Kyodo U Secre...

WASHINGTON, July 16 Kyodo

U Secretary of State Colin Powell said Wednesday he awaits to see diplomatic exhibitions ''in the very near future'' onward the standoff over North Korea's nuclear program.

''The diplomatic track is alive and well, and I rely upon to see some progression in a continuously ascending gradations along that track in the remarkably near future,'' Powell told reporters after meeting with German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer.

''I told the foreign minister that the United States was still hopeful of a diplomatic solution,'' Powell said. He did not elaborate.

Powell spoke with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing through the phone Tuesday night. Powell said Li briefed him about Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo's late visit to North Korea.

Dai handed a verbal expression from Chinese President Hu Jintao to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.

Asked about a Washington support report Wednesday that the U administration is considering admitting thousands of North Korean refugee into the U Powell said the management is now examining this matter. ''It's just an item of continuing research on our part,'' he said.

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