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Discussions on Future of the Koreas

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her deputy, Robert B. Zoellick, have begun to explore with Chinese leaders the economic and political future of the Korean Peninsula "because the status quo was not going to hold," Zoellick said in an interview with a small group of reporters yesterday.

China is North Korea`s chief patron, supplying much of its energy, and has played an important role in prodding the reclusive communist country to return to six-nation talks about the elimination of its nuclear programs. The talks are in recess but could resume as early as next week.

The effort by Rice and Zoellick appeared to be aimed at reducing the anxiety of the Chinese over a possible reunification of North and South Korea. The North is viewed by China as a buffer against having U.S. troops close to China`s border.