U.S. condemns N. Korea's firing of artillery shells at S. Korea+

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 Kyodo -
The United States on Tuesday condemned North Korea's firing of artillery rounds
at a South Korean island and nearby waters and urged Pyongyang to cease its
provocative actions.
''The United States strongly condemns this attack and calls on North Korea to
halt its belligerent action and to fully abide by the terms of the armistice
agreement,'' the White House said in a statement, referring to the pact that
ended the 1950-1953 Korean War.
The statement also said that the United States is ''firmly committed'' to the
defense of South Korea and ''to the maintenance of regional peace and
stability'' in Northeast Asia.
''We are in close and continuing contact with our (South) Korean allies,'' it
added.
Observers say that North Korea has taken the provocative steps with an eye to
prompting Washington to agree to hold bilateral talks with Pyongyang.
But the U.S. government has reiterated its position that it is willing to hold
dialogue with North Korea only if it halts provocative actions and complies
with its international obligations to denuclearize.
Tuesday's incident follows recent reports that North Korea is purportedly
engaged in a uranium enrichment program.
==Kyodo
2010-11-23 23:08:20