Iran Acknowledges Dealings With North Korea
Associated Press
May 11, 2007 10:22 p.m.

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran's foreign minister said North Korea's debts stand in the way of improving ties between the two countries -- both U.S. foes under international pressure over their nuclear programs.

It was the first time an official of either country referred to their dealings, which go back to at least the 1980s but are not publicly known. The extent of North Korea's debts to Iran remains unknown.

North Korea's "debts to Tehran are among the obstacles in the way of cooperation," the official IRNA news agency quoted Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki as saying Friday. "The two countries can find a formula to remove this obstacle."

Mr. Mottaki met late Thursday with North Korean acting Foreign Minister Kim Yong Il. He added that Iran was still interested in improving ties with North Korea "in the fields of politics, economics and culture" with North Korea.

Mr. Kim said his country was ready to cooperate with Iran "in various economic fields" and support the country on the international level...



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