Effective diplomacy

In a sure sign that Bush's uniquely effective diplomacy is paying dividends, the North Koreans decided to walk out of the nuclear talks today.

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) -North Korea refused to rejoin nuclear talks until the United States drops financial sanctions, dimming hopes of reviving the stalled discussions at a security meeting here.

The communist state's announcement comes despite days of hectic diplomacy aimed at dragging Pyongyang back to the negotiating table on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum.