North Korea has refused to give up its nuclear weapons unless global sanctions against it are lifted, as the US warns it is losing patience with the reclusive nation.Addressing the six-party forum at the first talks since its October nuclear test, North Korea's chief envoy has also repeated a demand for a nuclear reactor before the country will consider disarmament.
In response, chief US envoy Christopher Hill has warned that Washington's patience has "reached its limits".
Mr Hill says North Korea is at a fork in the road at which it needs to give ground.
"We don't have the option of walking away from the problem," he said.
"Their future is very much at stake.
"We do need to see some results."
Mr Kim says his country's ultimate goal is to abandon its nuclear programs.
But he has also demanded North Korea be provided with a light-water nuclear reactor to meet its civilian energy needs and substitute energy aid until the reactor is completed in order for it to begin doing so.
A one-on-one meeting expected between the US and North Koreans on Monday did not take place.
The US, along with host China, South Korea, Japan and Russia, want to see North Korea take concrete steps to implement a joint statement agreed upon in September 2005.
In the statement, North Korea agreed in principle to give up nuclear weapons in return for aid and security guarantees.
Washington imposed its financial curbs more than a year ago after determining that Pyongyang was engaged in money-laundering and counterfeiting American currency.
The UN levelled sanctions in October in response to North Korea's nuclear test.
- Reuters
© 2006 ABC
This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, CNN and
the BBC World Service which is copyright
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment