IAEA to Bring Nuke Issue to UNSC
2003-02-04
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will likely bring the issue of North Korea's failure to comply with its international nuclear obligations before the United Nations Security Council, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Trade official said on Tuesday (Feb. 4).
The international nuclear watchdog is set to hold a special board meeting Feb. 12 to discuss the North Korean nuclear standoff.
"The organization will adopt a resolution calling for the referral of the North's nuclear issue to the world body, which will feature a clause regarding its failure to abide by various nuclear agreements including its withdrawal from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty," he said.
Key board members of the IAEA have been drafting the resolution, he added.
The official said Seoul would not oppose the IAEA referral, saying, "It has been Seoul's official stance that it would honor the possible consensus of IAEA member countries."
Referral of the issue to the Security Council, however, does not necessarily mean a launch of punitive steps against North Korea, he said.
Some IAEA member nations including Russia, in particular, have been maintaining a cautious attitude regarding the North Korean nuclear issue.
"Even after the issue is referred to the Security Council, we will continue to urge council members to press for efforts to help resolve the matter peacefully and diplomatically focusing on friendly advice along with an expression of concern," the official said.
White House spokesman Ari Fleisher said Monday the United States supports the IAEA's call to bring the matter of North Korea's failure to comply with its international obligations to the U.N. Security Council.
"We will continue to pursue this in an international manner, in consultation with our friends and allies. But in all likelihood the issue will be brought to the attention of the Security Council," he was quoted as saying during a press briefing.
Source : www.korea.net
