Next UN head willing to go to North Korea for talks

PARIS, Oct 16 (Reuters) The next secretary general of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, said there was still room for dialogue with North Korea and he was prepared to travel to Pyongyang for talks.

In an interview with a French newspaper published today, Ban, who will take over from Kofi Annan on Jan 1, also urged North Korea to avoid doing anything that would further isolate it from the international community.

The UN Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday to impose financial and arms sanctions on North Korea to punish thereclusive nation for its claimed nuclear weapon test.

''Depending on the circumstances, and after having had consultations with the relevant countries, in particular those in the six-party talks ... I am ready to take my own initiatives, including a visit to North Korea, of course,'' he said in an interview with Le Monde newspaper.

He said he would like to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and explain to the North Koreans what they must do to be ''responsible members of the international community.'' ''They should think about the future of their people and their country,'' Ban said. ''Much better opportunities await them if they give up their programme and their nuclear weapons.'' Ban, who is currently South Korea's foreign minister, said North Korea must not take any ''new negative action'' that would further isolate it.

North Korea has boycotted talks with the South, the United States, China, Japan and Russia since last year because of a US crackdown on firms it suspects of aiding Pyongyang in illicit activities such as counterfeiting.

In a concession to China, the U.N. resolution specifically excludes the use of force, but allows economic sanctions and a restriction on naval and air transport.

Ban said China had played a ''very constructive'' role in trying to resolve the crisis with North Korea.

He said he was also concerned about Iran's nuclear standoff with the international community.

''Confidence is at the heart of the problem,'' he said.

''The Iranian government has not convinced the international community that its intentions are peaceful. I hope it will stop its enrichment activities.'' Ban comfortably beat six rivals to win the nomination to take over from Annan who has led the world body since 1997.

Asked if weapons proliferation would be a big issue during his mandate, he said: ''Of course. It's one of the biggest threats for the international community to manage.'' He also urged the Sudanese government to accept a United Nation's peacekeeping force in the Darfur region.

''I'm disappointed by its (the government's) lack of cooperation,'' he said.

REUTERS SSC BD1813