North Korea: Jimmy Carter arrives for nuclear talks

Former US President Jimmy Carter has arrived in the North Korean capital Pyongyang as part of a push to resolve the stand-off over the country's nuclear programme.

The Elders group - seen here in Beijing - was formed four years ago by Nelson Mandela

Mr Carter is taking part in a three-day visit by the group of former world leaders known as the Elders.
They hope to meet North Korea's reclusive leader, Kim Jong-il.
The group includes former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari and former Irish President Mary Robinson.
As he left for Pyongyang, Mr Carter said that the group also hoped to meet Kim Jong-il's son and heir-apparent Kim Jong-un, according to AP.
But he said he was unsure whether that would happen.
During the visit they are expected to present a report to all those involved in the North Korea nuclear negotiations, based on meetings held in Beijing, Pyongyang and Seoul.
Food shortages in the country are also expected to be high on the agenda for talks.
According to the UN, more than six million people - a quarter of the North Korean population - are under-nourished.
Ahead of his visit, Mr Carter said that authorities in the North had this year reduced the daily calorie intake from 1,400 to just 700.
A former head of the World Health Organisation, Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, is also taking part in the visit.
The Elders group was formed four years ago by former South African President Nelson Mandela. Members believe that their unique experience as former leaders - and their independence from any country or organisation - allows them to help resolve some of the world's most intractable problems.

BBC

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