|
SLUG: 2-298258 US-North Korea wrap (s)
DATE: NOTE NUMBER: |
||
DATE=1-10-03 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=U-S-North Korea Wrap (S) NUMBER=2-298258 BYLINE=David Gollust DATELINE=State Department CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: The Bush administration has condemned North Korea's announced intention to withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the N-P-T, but none-the-less says it remains committed to a diplomatic solution. Secretary of State Colin Powell discussed the issue late Friday with International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohammed el-Baradei. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department. TEXT: Secretary Powell described the situation created by North Korea's N-P-T announcement as very serious but said the United States will not intimidated or panicked, and will work deliberately to try to find a diplomatic solution. Appearing with Mr. El-Baradei after their meeting here, Mr. Powell said the North Korean action was particularly unfortunate in that it came after the I-A-E-A governing board had decided unanimously earlier this week to give it another chance to come into compliance with its obligations: ///Powell actuality/// North Korea has thumbed its nose at the international community. This is very regrettable. It's a sad statement on the part of the North Koreans of the respect in which they hold their own people. This makes it more difficult to find a solution. ///end act/// Mr. El-Baradei said North Korea cannot just walk out of the N-P-T, the cornerstone of nuclear arm control efforts, without ramifications, and said if Pyongyang does not reverse course in a matter of weeks, the issue will have to be brought to the U-N Security Council. (Signed) NEB/DAG/PT |
||
