MOSCOW, OCT 21, SPA -- Russia's foreign minister has urged theUnited States and North Korea to settle bilateral problemsin order to pave the way for the resumption of six-waytalks on Pyongyang's nuclear program, REPORTED AP. «The settlement of financial problems in relationsbetween the United States and the Democratic People'sRepublic of Korea would be very important for providingconditions to resume the talks,» Sergey Lavrov said Fridayin an interview with the Kuwaiti KUNA news agency which wasposted on the Russian Foreign Ministry's Web site Saturday. The six-party talks _ involving China, Japan, the twoKoreas, Russia and the U.S. _ have been stalled sinceNovember. North Korea has refused to attend them, in angerat U.S. financial restrictions blocking the regime's accessto outside banks because of alleged counterfeiting of U.S. dollars and money laundering. «It's extremely dangerous to make things interdependenthere,» Lavrov said. «This problem emerged separately fromthe six-nation talks. It should be resolved independentlyfrom them as well.» «Both Pyongyang and Washington should understand this. Itis irresponsible to stick to the bare principles here. Bothsides should show flexibility,» Lavrov added. Lavrov reaffirmed Russia's condemnation of North Korea'snuclear test, saying that Pyongyang acquiring nuclearweapons would set a bad example to others. On Saturday, Lavrov had lunch with U.S. Secretary of StateCondoleezza Rice, who visited Moscow to discuss NorthKorea, Iran and other issues.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/397408