International   

N. Korea invites IAEA chief for talks

P. S. Suryanarayana

Move in tune with six-party accord on initial actions towards de-nuclearisation

SINGAPORE: North Korea has invited the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed ElBaradei, for talks in tune with the latest six-party accord on the "initial" actions towards de-nuclearisation. The six parties are China as the Chair, the United States, the two Koreas, Japan, and Russia.

While the IAEA chief made the announcement in this regard, there was no immediate and official word from Pyongyang itself. The visit will take place in March. While no firm dates were disclosed, the expectation is that the visit can take place after the IAEA Board meeting from March 5 to 9.

Dr. ElBaradei, speaking in the presence of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said he would discuss with the leaders of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) "issues of mutual concern." While these talks could be seen as "a step towards the de-nuclearisation of the Korean peninsula," another priority for Dr. ElBaradei was "the normalisation of the relationship between the DPRK and the Agency."

He expressed the hope that "the DPRK may eventually come back as a full member of the IAEA." About the possible benefits of a renewed IAEA membership, he said the IAEA could provide "not only verification [to prevent diversion of nuclear material for military purposes] but also assistance [to the DPRK] in many areas ."

On a different front, the U.S. and South Korea agreed upon a key operational detail of importance to their military alliance. Seoul will now regain "wartime control" over its own forces with effect from April 2012. As part of this exercise, the U.S.-South Korea Combined Forces Command will be disbanded.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Cheney leaves open the possibility of a military attack on Iran
Pakistan on alert against attacks
Pleads guilty in LTTE arms case
U.K. protesters seek end to war
N. Korea invites IAEA chief for talks
Something fishy, says Pakistan Minister
Tougher norms to check illegal migrants
Bush breathes new life into Star Wars
Termite trouble for the Malaysian military
17 militants killed

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu