Fed: Downer to act as mediator between US, NKorea

AAP General News (Australia)
08-06-2004
Fed: Downer to act as mediator between US, NKorea

Foreign Minister ALEXANDER DOWNER says Australia's in a unique position to act as a
mediator in the stand-off between the United States and North Korea over nuclear weapons.

Mr DOWNER, who'll visit North Korea this month, says Australia is rare among countries
in the region in having diplomatic ties with the reclusive state as well as close ties
with America.

Mr DOWNER says he will go to North Korea equipped with a good deal of information about
US views on Pyongyang's nuclear plans.

His visit on August the 17th and 18th follows six-party talks in June involving China,
the US, Russia, North Korea, South Korea and Japan aimed at convincing Pyongyang to abandon
its nuclear weapons program.

AAP RTV mfh/sb/wz/dl/psm/
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KEYWORD: KOREA AUST (CANBERRA)

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