HONOLULU -- The United States and North Korea have once again reached an impasse in their long distance negotiations through the press. The North Koreans have demanded that the U.S. sign a nonaggression pact as part of a settlement of disputes on the Peninsula.
In return, Pyongyang says it will consider halting its nuclear weapons program and sales of ballistic missiles to other countries. The Bush administration has flatly refused.
The government of Kim Jong Il, known in Pyongyang as the "Dear Leader," said last week through its official Korean Central News Agency, or KCNA, that the Peninsula "is on the verge of war." The only way of preventing a catastrophe, KCNA said, "is to conclude a nonaggression treaty."