ID :
48856
Wed, 03/04/2009 - 08:18
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/48856
The shortlink copeid
House approves bill for energy aid to N. Korea pending obligations fulfillment
By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, March 3 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. House of Representatives has set aside
US$2.5 million for energy aid to North Korea this year despite stalled six-party
talks over how to verify its nuclear facilities.
The enabling legislation, formally known as the 2009 Energy and Water
Appropriations Bill, which passed through the House last week, pegs the release
of the funds on North Korea's fulfillment of its obligation under a six-party
deal to disable its nuclear infrastructure.
"None of the funds made available under the heading Economic Support Fund in
fiscal year 2009 may be made available for obligation for energy-related
assistance for North Korea unless the secretary of state determines and reports
to the Committees on Appropriations that North Korea is continuing to fulfill its
commitments under the six-party talks agreements," the bill says.
The bill also calls for allocation of up to $8 million for broadcasting into
North Korea and $931 million in assistance to North Korean refugees.
Washington suspended heavy fuel oil shipments to North Korea in December when
North Korea refused to agree to a verification protocol for its nuclear
facilities.
Under the six-party deal, the five other partners, including South Korea, the
U.S., China, Japan and Russia, are to provide 1 million tons of heavy fuel or its
equivalent in equal shares to the North in return for the North's disablement of
its nuclear facilities in the second phase of the denuclearization process. About
600,000 tons have so far been delivered.
The third and final phase calls for North Korea to dismantle all its nuclear
programs in exchange for a massive economic aid, diplomatic recognition by
Washington and Tokyo and establishment of a peace mechanism to replace the
current armistice on the Korean Peninsula.
The Barack Obama administration is attempting to revive the deadlocked
multilateral nuclear talks. Stephen Bosworth, U.S. special representative for
North Korea, is in Beijing on the first leg of his three-nation Asian tour that
will also bring him to Seoul and Tokyo.
hdh@yna.co.kr
(END)
WASHINGTON, March 3 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. House of Representatives has set aside
US$2.5 million for energy aid to North Korea this year despite stalled six-party
talks over how to verify its nuclear facilities.
The enabling legislation, formally known as the 2009 Energy and Water
Appropriations Bill, which passed through the House last week, pegs the release
of the funds on North Korea's fulfillment of its obligation under a six-party
deal to disable its nuclear infrastructure.
"None of the funds made available under the heading Economic Support Fund in
fiscal year 2009 may be made available for obligation for energy-related
assistance for North Korea unless the secretary of state determines and reports
to the Committees on Appropriations that North Korea is continuing to fulfill its
commitments under the six-party talks agreements," the bill says.
The bill also calls for allocation of up to $8 million for broadcasting into
North Korea and $931 million in assistance to North Korean refugees.
Washington suspended heavy fuel oil shipments to North Korea in December when
North Korea refused to agree to a verification protocol for its nuclear
facilities.
Under the six-party deal, the five other partners, including South Korea, the
U.S., China, Japan and Russia, are to provide 1 million tons of heavy fuel or its
equivalent in equal shares to the North in return for the North's disablement of
its nuclear facilities in the second phase of the denuclearization process. About
600,000 tons have so far been delivered.
The third and final phase calls for North Korea to dismantle all its nuclear
programs in exchange for a massive economic aid, diplomatic recognition by
Washington and Tokyo and establishment of a peace mechanism to replace the
current armistice on the Korean Peninsula.
The Barack Obama administration is attempting to revive the deadlocked
multilateral nuclear talks. Stephen Bosworth, U.S. special representative for
North Korea, is in Beijing on the first leg of his three-nation Asian tour that
will also bring him to Seoul and Tokyo.
hdh@yna.co.kr
(END)
