AP: N. Korea To Shut Down Nuclear Reactor

[Eugene]

N. Korea To Shut Down Nuclear Reactor
South Korean Envoy Reports Progress In Six-Party Talks In Beijing

BEIJING, March 17, 2007

(AP) North Korea told delegates at nuclear talks on Saturday that it is
preparing to shut down its main reactor, South Korea's chief nuclear envoy
said, a key step promised in a landmark disarmament pact.

The apparent progress in implementing last month's agreement came only
hours after North Korea's lead nuclear envoy said his government would
not close its main nuclear facility until all $25 million of its money frozen
in a Macau bank, Banco Delta Asia, is released.

"We will not stop our nuclear activity until our funds frozen in the BDA are
fully released," Kim Kye Gwan told reporters as he arrived in Beijing for
follow-up meetings on the agreement.

But U.S. Assistant Secretary of States Christopher Hill, the top American
envoy, said late Saturday that North Korea was still "fulfilling their
obligations."

-snip-

Full article: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/17/world/main2580755.shtml

[DerBeppo]

1. a little bit of good news for the weekend. -nt-

[Eugene]

2. NKorea ready to close reactor, but wants money first

NKorea ready to close reactor, but wants money first

Source: Agence France-Presse

by Jun Kwanwoo and Hiroshi Hiyama

53 minutes ago

BEIJING (AFP) - China said Tuesday that North Korea was ready to
close its main nuclear reactor and allow UN inspectors back, despite
the Stalinist regime refusing to budge until it received 25 million
dollars.

Reporting "good progress" at six-nation disarmament talks, China's
foreign ministry said the North had indicated it would abide by an
accord last month under which it agreed to close its Yongbyon
reactor.

-snip-

Liu did not give a specific timeframe, but referred to a February 13
deal which commits North Korea to closing Yongbyon and allowing
IAEA inspectors in by mid-April in return for 50,000 tonnes of fuel
aid.

-snip-

"According to the chairman, China, North Korea says they will not
come to the gathering until they confirm the transfer of the money,"
Japan's top nuclear negotiator, Kenichiro Sasae, told journalists here.

"In conclusion, there was no progress today (Tuesday)."

-snip-

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070320/ts_afp/nkoreanuclearweaponstalks_070320111444

[melm00se]

3. and then we'll be revisiting this issue again in 5-7 years (n/t)

[Eugene]

4. Frustration builds as NKorea talks extended

Frustration builds as NKorea talks extended

Source: Agence France-Presse

by Hiroshi Hiyama and Jun Kwanwoo
27 minutes ago

BEIJING (AFP) - Top negotiators to the North Korean nuclear disarmament
talks expressed frustration with the Stalinist nation's negotiating tactics
Wednesday, as discussions were extended at least an extra day.

North Korea refused to attend a series of meetings on Tuesday and
Wednesday as it awaited the promised return of 25 million dollars frozen
in a Macau bank account.

With talks stalled most of Wednesday, host China called a meeting of chief
delegates late in the evening to get the agreement of all sides to extend
negotiations.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070321/wl_asia_afp/nkoreanuclearweapons_070321135559