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Japan, South Korea hail China's decisive role

P. S. Suryanarayana

Tokyo happy over accord, promises to normalise ties with N. Korea

SINGAPOREMOSCOW: While praising China for its decisive role in bringing about a breakthrough at the six-party talks on the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, South Korea and Japan on Monday emphasised the windows of opportunity that the accord opened up for the normalisation of their ties with Pyongyang.

In Seoul, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun hailed the "epoch-making" accord, while Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said "peace talks [with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea] will be attempted at an appropriate time" now. These bilateral talks are required for a peace treaty between the two Koreas, which still remain "technically" at war, it was clarified.

However, the Minister claimed that the latest accord was an "accomplishment of South Korean diplomacy" as well, with Seoul's offer of massive electricity supplies to the DPRK being a factor that facilitated the deal.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry said its chief delegate had assured the others at the six-party talks that Tokyo would "make utmost efforts" for normalising ties with Pyongyang. Tokyo was pleased with the passage in the joint statement issued in Beijing about the DPRK's willingness to undertake steps in this regard in association with Japan.

Russia welcomes move

SINGAPOREMOSCOW: Russia on Monday welcomed the outcome of Beijing talks saying the joint document gave hope for the ultimate goal of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, the Foreign Ministry said.

``The most important part of this document is Pyongyang's commitment to abandon nuclear weapons, all existing nuclear programmes and return, at an early date, to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and to the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency,'' the Ministry said.

Russia's atomic chief said his country was ready to build a nuclear power station for North Korea. Federal Atomic Energy Agency chief Alexander Rumyantsev said the offer was in line with the agreement reached in Beijing. Mr. Rumyantsev said such assistance could involve construction of a nuclear power station in North Korea.

Positive step, says Bush

North Korea's pledge is a ``positive step,'' but a ``verifiable process'' will be needed to ensure Pyongyang adheres to its promise, said U.S. President George W. Bush in Washington on Monday. ``It was a positive step yesterday,'' Mr. Bush said of the North Korean pledge. ``Five nations have spoken and said it is not in the world's interest that North Korea have a nuclear weapon,'' Mr. Bush told reporters.

``Now there's a way forward. And part of the way forward is for the North Koreans to understand that we're serious about this and that we expect there to be a verifiable process,'' he said.

``The question is, over time, will all parties adhere to the agreement?'' Mr. Bush said. — Xinhua, AP, PTI

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