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The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) yesterday called for talks on a peace treaty to end the state between it and the Republic of Korea, saying improved ties with the United States and an end to sanctions could revive the stalled nuclear disarmament talks. Haloti Ngata Jersey . The message, released by DPRKs foreign ministry, was the countrys first public statement of its position since US Special Envoy Stephen Bosworths Pyongyang tour more than a month ago. Experts, however, were divided on assessing the statement, debating on a vital problem of which issue to be addressed first - denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula or the absence of a peace treaty. Related readings: DPRK open to peace treaty at six-party talks Speculation high over Kims China visit ROK repatriates 2 DPRK fishermen FM: China supports DPRK-US dialogue Washington calls on Pyongyang to return to six-party talks If confidence is to be built between the DPRK and the US, it is essential to conclude a peace treaty for terminating the state of war, a root cause of the hostile relations, to begin with, Pyongyangs KCNA news agency carried the official statement. The removal of the barrier of such discrimination and distrust as sanctions may soon lead to the opening of the Six-Party Talks, it stated. The 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, thus leaving the peninsula technically at war. The DPRK, the US-led United Nations Command and China are signatories to the cease fire, while the Republic of Korea (ROK) has never signed the accord. Under such circumstances, Pyongyang does not feel safe, making it resort to nuclear weapons for its security, analysts have said before. Last year, the DPRK pulled out of the talks with the US, China, ROK, Russia and Japan after its second nuclear test drew UN sanctions. Its first nuclear test was conducted in autumn 2006. Yesterdays statement appears to be an overture by the DPRK to try and, in its own way, break through the logjam that we have seen for more than a year now in the talks, AP quoted Peter Beck, an expert on DPRK at Stanford University. Zhang Liangui, an expert at the Central Party School in Beijing, however disagreed, suggesting the proposal was part of a DPRK conspiracy. The DPRK is trying to change the fundamental parameter of the Six-Party Talks, which is the resolution of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue through peaceful negotiations, Zhang said. Other parties in the talks should stick to this principle. Zhang said DPRKs ultimate aim was to be recognized as a nuclear power. The Six-Party Talks began in 2003. In 2005 and 2007, there were agreements on a disarmament pact calling for the DPRK to end its nuclear programs in exchange for economic aid, security assurances and diplomatic recognition. The administrations of presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush have said Washington can discuss a peace treaty once the DPRK ends its nuclear arms program, considered one of the biggest security risks to economically vital North Asia, Reuters said. Wang Fan, an expert at the China Foreign Affairs University, however, suggested that Washington should first make some concessions before trying to denuclearize the peninsula. The DPRKs statement was a positive signal, following which the resumption of the Six-Party Talks would be possible, he said. Yet, the statement helps little to address the vital problem of which comes first - a peace treaty or Pyongyangs denuclearization, Wang said. I think the US should first make some concessions, such as ending the condition of war, Wang said. When the Six-Party Talks do resume, the nations involved should first work out some binding pre-conditions in order to ensure that the DPRK does not quit the talks in a huff as it did before. Darrius Heyward-Bey Elite Jersey . Daniel served in a variety of roles including defensive coordinator, linebackers coach, defensive line coach and special teams coordinator. Knowshon Moreno Jersey . The Brazilian government said Tuesday that Blatter apologized in a letter to the sports ministry on Monday, a day after Valcke sent his own apology. The government had officially informed FIFA that it would no longer deal with Valcke after he said: "You have to push yourself, kick your (backside)" to speed up the countrys preparations. Cliff Pennington Jersey .A. story. Two Lakers and two Clippers were voted as starters Thursday for the game, the first time in 15 years that two pairs of teammates have been voted to start for one conference. Wes Welker Jersey . (AP) - Dany Heatley scored, Antero Niittymaki made 19 saves and the San Jose Sharks beat the Vancouver Canucks 6-2 on Wednesday night in an exhibition game. Andy Dalton Youth Jersey . Head coach Kavis Reed said Jyles will come to training camp as his No. 1 signal caller, just two days after stating the 29-year-old would have to fight for the job.COLUMBUS, Ohio - Keith Tkachuk took the shot from beyond centre ice toward an empty net. One "lucky bounce" later, his entire team was swarming him. Tkachuk became the 41st player in NHL history to score 500 goals, and added an assist to help the St. Louis Blues beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1 on Sunday in the season finale for both teams. Tkachuk, a 16-year veteran, scored his 27th of the season, a short-handed goal into an empty net, with 1:34 remaining. "About half way down it looked like it was going in," he said. "Trust me, I wasnt looking. I was just shooting. I got a little lucky bounce." And he was given attention from those who matter most. "Just the reaction I got from my teammates coming onto the ice, I dont care how old you are .. it makes you feel pretty good." He scored three goals in the final two regular-season games - both wins against Columbus - to reach the milestone. "Youre just trying to survive and make it in the NHL," said Tkachuk, drafted 19th overall by Winnipeg in the 1990 draft. "Sixteen years later, you look back at a number, a lot of hard work by your parents, and the people around you .. and all the great players I played with, theyre the reason why Im in this situation." Blues coach Andy Murray enjoyed every second of the historical play, but thought there could have been more attention given to the moment. "It was exciting watching that puck go down the ice into the empty net," he said. "I wish theyd inform the people right away what was going on here. Thats a special moment. They should have said thats Keith Tkachuks 500th goal, its something special." Tkachuk, traded to St. Louis in 2001 in a multi-player deal, was only concerned about the puck crossing the line. David Perron had a power-play goal and an assist, and Brad Boyes and David Backes had the other scores for the Blues. Hannu Toivonen made 35 saves for his first win since Dec. 7 for St. Louis (33-36-13), which finished last in the Central Division and 27th in the league with 79 points.. Philip Rivers Jersey. The Blues missed the post-season for the third consecutive season after qualifying 25 straight times. They started the season with a promising 22-14-5 record, but went 11-22-8 the rest of the way. "We won the series against Columbus. Thats what we had to play for today," Murray said. "We got the job done today, but we didnt get the job done for the year." Michael Peca scored on the man-advantage for Columbus, which closed out the season with one win in its last nine games, but had the best season in franchise history with 80 points. "Obviously, we wanted to have a better season," Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash said. "I dont think people expected us to do what we did. Weve got to move on, look at it as a positive and start worrying about next year." The Blue Jackets (34-36-12), who entered the league in 2000, have yet to qualify for the post-season and finished 25th overall. However, general manager Scott Howson is expected to have around US$20 million to spend this summer to upgrade a team that flirted with a playoff spot. Peca staked Columbus to an early 1-0 lead on a pass from Nash for his eighth at 4:50 of the first period. The Blues got themselves back in the game 10 minutes later on Backes 13th. Goalie Fredrik Norrena - who had only 13 saves - made the initial stop on a deflected point shot, but Backes controlled the rebound in traffic and slotted it home. Boyes, acquired at last years trade deadline, made it 2-1 at 13:08 of the second period with his 43rd, extending his career high for goals in a season. Perron scored on a redirection in front of defenceman Ron Hainsey for his 13th at 10:12 of the third period. Notes: St. Louis Jamal Mayers missed the final two games with cuts near his left eye. .. The Blue Jackets were without regulars LW Fredrik Modin, RW David Vyborny, C Dan Fritsche, C Jiri Novotny, D Dick Tarnstrom, D Ole Kristian Tollefsen, and LW Jason Chimera, whose consecutive games streak ended at 243. They had six of their minor league affiliate regulars in the lineup. ' ' '
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