Bush sends letter to North Korea

WHITE HOUSE (AP) — They’re not exactly pen pals — but President Bush has sent a letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.

Bush is personally urging North Korea to declare its nuclear programs in the letter that he sent to the leader on Saturday.

He’s also sent letters to other nations involved in six-party nuclear talks, reiterating his desire to end the nuclear standoff with the North.

Korean media say U.S. nuclear envoy Christopher Hill delivered the letter to the North’s Foreign Minister during a trip to the country.

Today, Hill is suggesting that negotiations on producing a draft declaration of North Korea’s nuclear programs have stalled.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is expressing optimism, saying the cooperation is “very good.” Still, she says it will take a “monumental effort” to get North Korea to declare by the
end of the year.