Manila mulls ties with North Korea

Manila mulls ties with North Korea

MANILA (DPA): The Philippines is considering bilateral
relations with North Korea but is moving cautiously out of fear
of a negative impact on the reconciliatory dialog between
Pyongyang and Seoul, a top official said yesterday.

"Upon establishing bilateral relations with Pyongyang, we can
be more neutral and objective in our relations with the two
Koreas," said Foreign Secretary Domingo Siazon. "All the
conditions for establishing relations are there."

He said the possibility is likely to be addressed by the
incoming administration of President-elect Joseph Estrada, who
takes office June 30.

Siazon, who will maintain the same post in Estrada's cabinet
that he has in the outgoing administration of President Fidel
Ramos, noted the government is proceeding cautiously out of
concern such a step might "unnecessarily stop the progress of the
four-power talks".