AP: North Korea tells China it may halt nuke test if US holds talks: ex...

North Korea tells China it may halt nuke test if US holds talks: ex-South Korean lawmaker
The Associated Press

Published: October 8, 2006

SEOUL, South Korea North Korea informed China it may drop its plan
to test its first atomic bomb if the United States holds bilateral talks
with the communist country, a former South Korean lawmaker said Sunday.

The North also denied speculation that its nuclear test was imminent and
said the regime has not raised the alert level of the country's military,
said Jang Sung-min, citing a telephone conversation with an unidentified
Chinese diplomatic official.

North Korea warned the Chinese official, however, that it would accelerate
its preparations for a nuclear test if the United States moves toward
imposing sanctions or launching a military attack, Jang said, citing his
contact.

The Chinese official was informed of North Korea's stance by North Korean
officials Sunday afternoon, Jang said.

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