Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer arrived in Pyongyang Tuesday amid reports that Australia is keen to persuade the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to accept the so-called "Libyan Mode" of freezing its nuclear weapons program unilaterally.  

Downer and his entourage were greeted at the Pyongyang Sun-an Airport by Kim Yong-il, deputy minister of foreign affairs of the DPRK.

Downer, who paid his first visit to the DPRK shortly after Australia and the DPRK re-established diplomatic relations in 2000,draws worldwide attention due to the timing of his second trip to the country.

The DPRK on Monday refused to attend the United States-proposed working group meeting in New York and urged the US to drop its hostile policy towards the DPRK and offer energy compensation to the country as a reward for a DPRK nuclear freeze, thus laying down a foundation for negotiations.

Downer told the Australian press before his visit that his country maintained close contacts with the DPRK in the past two years when tensions were high due to the nuclear issue.

During his visit, Downer is reportedly to talk with his counterpart Paek Nam-sun, and may meet DPRK's Premier Pak Bong-ju.

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2004)