UPI has quoted Interfax-China news agency as saying that North Korea wants direct talks with the United States to end the nuclear standoff between the two countries.

Quoting a North Korean diplomat in Beijing, the news agency said Monday that Pyongyang believes bilateral talks between Pyongyang and Washington would be the best way to seek a solution to international problems caused by the North's nuclear arms programs.

The official was quoted as claiming that if North Korea and the United States were to meet in direct dialogue, they would then be able to settle 90 percent of their differences.