Wednesday, February 25, 2004
US asks for dismantlement of N Korea's nuke programme
Anil K Joseph (PTI) Beijing, February 25
The US on Wednesday demanded a "complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement" of North Korea's nuclear weapons programmes while offering security guarantee, as the second six-party talks aimed to find a peaceful solution to Pyongyang's nuclear issue commenced in Beijing.
"The United States seeks the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of all of North Korea's nuclear programmes, both plutonium and uranium-based weapons programme," Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, James Kelly, told envoys from China, North Korea, South Korea, Japan and Russia.
While emphasising the US position, Kelly said Washington was prepared to join with other parties in providing security assurances to North Korea. "President (George W Bush) has also made clear that the US has no intention of invading or attacking North Korea. This remains the policy of the United States," he said.
Kelly, who spoke last at the plenary session at the start of the closed-door talks being held at the Diaoyutai state guest house in central Beijing, said the resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue would facilitate resolution of bilateral issues among the parties and open up prospects for full normalisation of relations among all the six parties.
© Hindustan Times Ltd. 2004.