AREN'T WE LUCKY? - AT 10:17 P.M. ET:

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- North Korea says it is open to new dialogue to defuse tensions over its nuclear weapons program.

The statement Monday from Pyongyang's Foreign Ministry appeared to refer to direct talks with the United States, though it was not specific.

COMMENT:  Let's see how the Obama administration handles this one.  North Korea has made statements like this, not for years, but for decades.  But every "offer" of negotiations has ended with some great proclamation of victory for the "dialogue," some kind of paper agreement, and then North Korea violating that agreement but offering to get it back on track if only we'd make further concessions.

If we jump at this like amateurs, we'll look like fools...except to the left-wing base of Mr. Obama's party.  Watch Hillary carefully on this one.  I suspect she'll make known her views privately to friendly journalists, then in effect challenge the White House to override her.

July 26, 2009