Campbell says too early to discuss lifting N. Korea sanctions

SEOUL, Feb. 2 (Yonhap) -- Kurt Campbell, U.S. assistant secretary of state for
East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said Tuesday it is too early to discuss removal
of U.N. sanctions on North Korea, especially amid the communist nation's
provocative actions, such as its recent firing of artillery.

The U.S. diplomat also said it was "too early to tell" if there will be any
additional talks between his country and Pyongyang for the resumption of
six-party negotiations on ending North Korea's nuclear ambition.
"I think our belief is that it's going to be very important for North Korea to
come back to the six-party talks to abide by its commitments made in 2005 and
2007, and then within that context, the United States is prepared to work with
partners in Japan, South Korea and China in terms of next steps," Campbell told
reporters shortly after arriving here from Japan on a three-day visit.
North Korea said last month that it will not return to the nuclear negotiations
that also involve South Korea, the U.S., Japan, China and Russia unless sanctions
imposed by the U.N. Security Council are first removed.
The U.S. assistant secretary of state noted the North is making it harder for the
countries to discuss the possible removal of sanctions with its recent firing of
artillery near a disputed border in the Yellow Sea.
"It is too early to be talking about sanctions relief given that we haven't had a
resumption of talks and, in fact, in recent days we have seen provocative actions
with artillery firing and the like, so I think that's one of the things we want
to do while we are here in Seoul -- to communicate closely and coordinate with
our partners here," he said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)

Delete & Prev | Delete & Next