U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Friday that the United States is open to ending conflict and confrontation with any country that is willing to meet American terms.
Speaking to reporters at a year-end press conference, Rice said "we don't have permanent enemies -- the United States doesn't."
On nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula, Rice urged the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to adhere to its commitment to disable its nuclear program by the end of this year under a six-party agreement made on Feb. 13, 2007.
It will be on "a pathway toward better political relations between the United States and North Korea. And there can be many different opportunities within that context of improved relations," she said.
Asked if she were prepared to visit the DPRK, Iran and Syria, Rice replied: "Look, we don't have permanent enemies -- the United States doesn't. What we have is a policy that is open to ending conflict and confrontation with any country that is willing to meet us on those terms."
Referring to Iran's nuclear issue, Rice reiterated that Tehran must accept a U.N. Security Council resolution to suspend its uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities.
If Iran does so, she said, "then I'm prepared to meet my counterpart any place and anytime and anywhere and we can talk about anything."
"With Syria and Iran we remain open to better relations, but they must choose cooperation not confrontation with the international community. We will continue, in the meantime, to step up the pressure behind our diplomacy."
Source:Xinhua
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