Iraq example tilts N Korea to accept US offer for talks

North Korea shifted significantly toward US calls for multilateral talks on its suspected nuclear arms plans and Washington voiced interest, saying it would follow up through diplomatic channels.

‘‘If the US is ready to make a bold switchover in its Korea policy for a settlement of the nuclear issue, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will not stick to any particular dialogue format,’’ the KCNA news agency quoted a foreign ministry spokesman as saying.

In washington, President Bush told reporters at White House on Sunday that multilateral talks on North Korea’s suspected nuclear arms programme ‘‘might be coming to fruition’’.

Until now, N Korea has insisted on bilateral talks. Washington wants talks that also include regional players, S Korea, Japan, Russia and China.