ID :
138484
Fri, 08/20/2010 - 09:17
Auther :

U.S. urges N. Korea to create environment to restart stalled nuclear talks: State Dept.


By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- The United States Thursday urged North Korea to
stop provocations and show its commitment to denuclearization before the
resumption of the six-party nuclear talks.
The talks have been deadlocked for more than a year as a result of international
sanctions on Pyongyang for its nuclear and missile tests and, more recently, the
sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan.
"There are specific things that North Korea can do to demonstrate a
serious-enough purpose and to create an environment where future talks could be
productive," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said. "Obviously, we
remain concerned about provocations that North Korea has made, both recently and
over many months. We want to see a change in North Korea's behavior. Should we
see that change, then that would give us indications that North Korea is serious
about moving ahead."
Crowley was responding to the report by North Korea's official Korean Central
News Agency that the North has reached consensus with China on issues related to
the resumption of the six-party talks.
The KCNA confirmed earlier in the day the visit to the North Korean capital by a
Chinese delegation, led by chief nuclear envoy Wu Dawei, for three days from
Monday.
"The two sides had in-depth discussions on the regional situation and the
bilateral relations of friendship and matters of mutual concern, including the
resumption of the six-party talks and the denuclearization of the whole Korean
Peninsula," it said. "They reached a full consensus of views on all the matters
discussed."
While in Pyongyang, Wu met with Foreign Minister Pak Ui-chun and Kim Yong-il,
department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, the
KCNA said.
Crowley, meanwhile, called on Pyongyang to abide by its pledge for nuclear
dismantlement under a six-party deal signed in 2005 by the two Koreas, the U.S.,
China, Japan and Russia.
"There are specific obligations that North Korea has undertaken," Crowley said.
"As we come up towards the U.N. General Assembly, we'll have the opportunity to
consult directly with many of our partners in this effort. We will continue in
the meantime to make clear to North Korea that there are steps that North Korea
has to take to create the right environment for progress."
The deal calls for the North's denuclearization in exchange for a massive
economic aid, diplomatic recognition by Washington and Tokyo and establishment of
a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula to replace the armistice that ended the
1950-53 Korean War.
Pyongyang demands sanctions be lifted and separate dialogue be launched for the
peace regime before the resumption of the nuclear talks.
South Korea and the U.S. blame the North for the torpedoeing of the Cheonan with
the loss of 46 lives, and call for North Korea's apology and commitment for its
denuclearization prior to reopening of the nuclear talks. North Korea denies
responsibility.
The incident has led to a flurry of naval exercises. Seoul and Washington will
stage a drill in the Yellow Sea early next month, following massive naval and air
exercises in the East Sea late last month. The nuclear supercarrier USS George
Washington took part in the wargames in a show of force against further
provocations.
Beijing vehemently opposes such maneuvers off its coasts, expressing concerns
over an escalation of tensions.
China has called on relevant parties to turn the page on the Cheonan incident and
return to the nuclear talks as soon as possible.
hdh@yna.co.kr
(END)

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