U.S. to send 66,000 tons of food to North Korea to avert hunger

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The State Department on Wednesday announced 66,000 tons of American food will be sent to North Korea to help avert hunger and starvation.
Spokesman Richard Boucher said the decision was based on reports from the World Food Program's executive director, James Morris, that some 4 million North Koreans were vulnerable and in need of contributions.
The specific items to be sent by the U.S. Agency for International Development will be determined after consultation with the World Food Program, Boucher said in a statement.
Last week, Morris said the program probably would be forced to cut off food aid to 3 million North Koreans in coming weeks because of insufficient donations.
The agency has received only 60 percent of the food needed this year for its goal of feeding 6.5 million North Koreans, Morris said Saturday in Beijing. The donation of 66,000 tons brings the total of U.S. contributions for the year to 110,000.
The Bush administration has said it keeps consideration of North Korea's humanitarian needs separate from differences with the reclusive regime on its weapons programs.
A second round of arms negotiations has been postponed with no date set. The United States, China, South Korea, Japan and Russia, all of which participate in the talks, are trying to end to North Korea's nuclear weapons program.