U.S. Relations With the People's Republic of China (2008)

U.S. Department of State

Remarks With Qatar Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir Al Thani Before Their Meeting

Secretary Condoleezza Rice
Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
New York City
September 24, 2008

QUESTION: Secretary Rice, do you have any comment on North Korea's decision? They made a major move today at the IAEA and put out a statement on –

SECRETARY RICE: Well, we believe that if the North Koreans do so, it would only deepen its isolation. We are working with our partners here in the Six-Party Talks. I met with the Chinese Foreign Minister, with the South Korean Foreign Minister. I'll see the Russian Foreign Minister in a little while, and perhaps the Japanese Foreign Minister if he arrives, given that there's just been a change in the government there.

Everyone knows what the path ahead is. The path ahead is for there to be agreement on a verification protocol so that we can continue along the path of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. And the North Koreans know that, and so we'll continue working with our partners on what steps we might need to take.

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