DPRK Nuclear Issue Might Still be Handled by UN: US

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, July 31, 2003

DPRK Nuclear Issue Might Still be Handled by UN: US

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Visiting US arms negotiator John Bolton Thursday refused to rule out the possibility of bringing the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to the UN Security Council (UNSC).

"The possibility of the Security Council's action is still there," he said while replying questions on the UNSC's role in theDPRK nuclear issue.

"We believe that appropriate and timely action by the Security Council would complement our efforts on the multilateral track in Beijing," said Bolton, US undersecretary of state for arms controland international security.

China in April convened trilateral nuclear talks, the first of its kind since the nuclear issue surfaced last October.

Bolton said the Security Council can delay punitive action against the DPRK if progress is anticipated in efforts to resolve the dispute through Beijing talks.

"We're quite happy to defer a discussion of a presidential statement or a resolution pending the possibility of progress on the Beijing track."

The International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog,referred the DPRK nuclear issue to the Security Council six monthsago. But up to now, the council has not convened a plenary to discuss the issue.

Pyongyang said any sanctions or resolution of the council will be viewed as a declaration of war against it.

"There is no material difference between US and South Korean government concerning the referral of the DPRK nuclear issue to the UNSC," said the US official.

"It is just a practical difference," he said.

South Korea is cautious about referring the issue to the Security Council.

Bolton refused to comment on a Japanese newspaper report that talks are likely to resume in the first week of September.

The United States is pushing to expand the dialogue format to include other regional powers, including Japan, South Korea and Russia.

"I think it is important that there will be the necessary multilateral participation so the talks have greater prospect for success," said Bolton.

He said other international initiatives against the DPRK, including the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), would also complement efforts to resolve the nuclear row.

The PSI, a US-led international campaign to curb the spread of weapons of mass destruction, puts the DPRK and Iran at top of the list of proliferating nations.

"I'm here to brief the situation of the PSI recent meeting to the South Korean government, but I did not ask the participation of South Korea in the PSI," said Bolton.

"But it's very clear that the Seoul government has given strongsupport to the PSI," he added.

Bolton arrived in South Korea Tuesday for a three-day visit, part of his Asian tour to muster international support to solve the DPRK nuclear issue. In Seoul, he met South Korean Foreign Minister Yoon Young-kwan.

He will head for Tokyo later Thursday for another three-day visit.

Questions?Comments? Click here

US Has Diplomatic Options to Solve DPRK Nuclear Issue: Official

DPRK Warns US Against Deteriorating Situation

Taiwan Ties Mar Japan's China Interests: News Analysis ( 36 Messages)

Shortage of Electric Power, an Ordeal for China's Economy ( 4 Messages)

Using "E-mail" Concerns Chinese Purification & National Dignity? ( 22 Messages)

US, China Co-operate to Fight Taiwan Referendum Plan ( 3 Messages)

60 Chinese Senior Officials to Be Trained in Harvard University ( 3 Messages)