DATE=4/03/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= BUSH / NORTH KOREA (S)

NUMBER=2-288296

BYLINE= PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE= WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

///EDS: WATCH FOR UPDATE AND POSSIBLE LONG CR AFTER 12:45PM WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING ///

INTRO: The Bush administration says it is willing to resume talks with North Korea anytime and anywhere. But as V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports, the White House is brushing aside conditions set by Pyongyang.

TEXT: The official North Korean news agency says Pyongyang is ready to begin a new dialogue with the United States. But it quotes a foreign ministry spokesman as setting one condition: an end to "groundless slander" from Washington.

It was a reference to the tough talk included in President Bush's State of the Union Address in January. In that important speech to the nation, Mr. Bush referred to Iraq, Iran and North Korea as an "axis (alliance) of evil" that seeks weapons of mass destruction.

When asked about the official North Korean report, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said President Bush has long believed in the need for dialogue with Pyongyang. But he went on to stress that the president will continue to speak out about threats to peace.

During a visit to South Korea in February, Mr. Bush repeated his assertion that the North Koreans are evil. But he also offered at that time to resume discussions with the North. (signed)

NEB/PW/RH