NKorea seeks direct military talks with US

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2007

SEOUL (AFP) — North Korea called Friday for military talks with the United States, as UN atomic inspectors prepared to return to Pyongyang to supervise the shutdown of its nuclear programme.

But with inspectors on the eve of returning to check on North Korea's nuclear facilities for the first time in five years, the North also warned that a landmark disarmament deal could still be undone by US "threats".

The secretive regime, which tested an atomic bomb for the first time last year, has repeatedly said it needs nuclear weapons to fend off a US attack -- and called for talks with its long-time foe ahead of the pending UN visit.

"The Korean People's Army side proposes having talks between the DPRK (North Korea) and US militaries to be attended by a UN...