CLINTON RESPONDS TO CARTER'S N.K. DIPLOMACY

President Clinton said he was heartened by the apparent thaw in North Korea's stance, announced by former President Jimmy Carter today, following meetings in Pyongyang. But he requested clarification from the North Koreans as to whether they would agree to freeze their nuclear program while talks were under way. Clinton also asserted that he would continue to push for U.N. sanctions. Carter had reported that the communist leaders will allow nuclear-facility inspectors to continue their work and would like the U.S. to help the economically beleaguered country replace some of its more dangerous nuclear-power technology.