China, North Korea agree `in principle' to continue nuclear talks.(Chicago Tribune)

Byline: Michael A. Lev

BEIJING _ China said Thursday that North Korea has agreed "in principle" to continue international negotiations with the United States over the future of the North's nuclear ambitions, a significant but tentative step toward defusing a yearlong diplomatic crisis.

The announcement, which was welcomed by the United States, came during a visit to North Korea by Wu Bangguo, a senior Chinese leader. It confirmed that the process of six-way talks has not broken down but answered no other questions about the reclusive North Korean regime's true intentions.

After two inconclusive rounds of negotiations, it still is not clear whether the North would be willing to trade away its …