UN chief expects broader role of six-way nuclear talks in regional cooperation

(ATTN: ADDS N. Korea's reversal of the disabling of nuclear reactor in 5th para for
clarification)
By Lee Chi-dong
JEJU ISLAND, Aug. 13 (Yonhap) -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
said Thursday the six-way talks on North Korea's nuclear program, albeit now in a
protracted stalemate, are expected to evolve into a broader framework for
regional peace and security.
"The six-party process provides a solid path towards a multilateral security
mechanism in the region," Ban said in a keynote speech at the Jeju Peace Forum.
He was involved in the creation of the biennial forum in 2001 while working as
Seoul's vice foreign minister.
"It holds promise, over the long term, to evolve into a broader framework for the
kind of multilateral security cooperation the region needs," he said. "In my
view, the effort would only benefit from partnership and collaboration with the
United Nations."
His comments came amid growing doubts about the future of the six-way talks among
the two Koreas, the U.S., China, Russia, and Japan. Launched in 2003, the
Beijing-based negotiations produced some agreements including the Sept. 19 Joint
Statement in which Pyongyang promised to abandon its nuclear program in return
for economic assistance and political benefits.
The North also disabled its main nuclear facilities in Yongbyon. But the six-way
process is in jeopardy after the communist nation pulled out as a response to the
widespread condemnation of its long-range missile launch in April. It has
restarted the once-disabled nuclear reactor and staged a second nuclear test in
May, prompting the U.N. Security Council to impose a set of tough sanctions on the
regime.
While the U.S. and the other four participating nations formally say they remain
committed to the six-way mechanism, there is a growing call unofficially for a
new approach.
"Today, we face the most difficult situation since the (1950-53) Korean War,"
said Ban, who is on his second trip to his homeland since assuming the post of
the world's top diplomat in 2007.
He voiced the need for bolstering multilateralism in East Asia amid various
challenges including ideological differences, historical disputes, and
territorial spats.
"We meet at a moment of profound opportunity and challenge for multilateralism,"
he said. "It is a time of change and choice."
Ban said there are "three specific pillars: to building a "new multilateralism in
East Asia" _ security, economy, and environment.
He welcomed the region's discussions on creating an Asian Monetary Fund, saying
it would complement the International Monetary Fund in helping countries respond
to financial and economic shocks.
On environment, he stressed the responsibility of countries like China to lead
the global fight against climate change.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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