Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople today said that efforts at engaging the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea (DPRK) in multilateral discussions should be strengthened and welcomed recent reports that China has had some success in encouraging the DPRK to engage in multilateral talks to address the situation on the Korean Peninsula.  He also said that the Philippines is planning to host an informal seminar to discuss ways to achieve a successful diplomatic solution.

“Although official talks continue, we believe that it is time for us to discuss this issue in an informal forum.  We hope to organize such a forum in Manila where we will invite diplomats, government officials, members of the academe and NGOs, who will all attend in their private capacities.  It is our hope that we will be able to have a more candid and frank discussion of issues.  We also intend to discuss our own formula for a political solution to the situation on the Korean Peninsula,” the Secretary said.

He added that President Gloria Macapal-Arroyo discussed the hosting of such a forum with Australian Prime Minister John Howard during PM Howard’s visit to Manila earlier this week.  “We welcome the support of other countries in organizing this informal meeting and would be open to co-hosting this event in Manila,” the Secretary said.
Reacting to recent developments on the Korean Peninsula, the Secretary said “The United States has indicated that China may be close to bringing about peaceful multilateral dialogue that could defuse tensions over North Korea's declared nuclear weapons program,” Secretary Ople said. “This is a most welcome development.  I hope that the incident this morning where there was an exchange of fire between soldiers from the DPRK and the Republic of Korea was an isolated one and that it does not affect the progress that has been made in achieving a diplomatic solution,” the Secretary added.
Reports indicate that US Secretary of State Colin Powell - speaking after a phone conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing - said that he expected to see diplomatic movement to end the deadlock in the very near future.
However, South Korean and North Korean soldiers exchanged machine gun fire across the Demilitarized Zone this morning, according to the South Korean military and the Pentagon. The South reported no injuries among its soldiers, and it was not immediately known if any casualties were suffered on the North's side. END.