US prefers nuclear talks after reactor shutdown

The United States said Monday that it preferred six-party talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear weapons program to resume after the reclusive state shut down its key atomic reactor under UN supervision.
"I think ideally what everybody would like to see is an envoys' level meeting build on some already increased momentum," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said, citing proposals for talks "in the next week or two."
Such momentum would stem from "a shutdown and sealing of the Yongbyon (reactor), having the IAEA in there and full strength, performing their full mission that they have set out for," he told reporters.