U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis briefs the media at the Pentagon in Washington, U.S., April 11, 2017. Yuri Gripas, Reuters
VOA: US Military, Intel Officials Cautious About N. Korean Overtures
PENTAGON — U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to sit down for talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un came as no surprise to top U.S. military officials, though they are wary of setting any expectations.
The Pentagon said Friday that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis was in contact with the White House and involved in the decision to accept the North Korean leader's offer.
But military officials also said the decision to talk with North Korea should not be mistaken for any weakening of U.S. resolve.
"The [Defense Department] will continue to support the global maximum pressure campaign against North Korea," a Pentagon spokesman said, referring to ramped-up economic sanctions that have been imposed against Pyongyang for its nuclear weapons and missile development programs.
"The maximum pressure campaign is clearly having an impact," he added.
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WNU Editor: The response from Defense Secretary Jim Mattis sums up what most top defense and intel officials are saying .... Defense Secretary Mattis Says Diplomacy Is The Way Forward For Talks With North Korea (NPR).
