Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Russia has no info on preparation for N.Korea nuclear tests

RIA Novosti

18/08/2006 13:02

MOSCOW, August 18, (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Foreign Ministry said Friday it had no information confirming that North Korea was preparing to launch nuclear tests.

Media in the United States cited Thursday a senior military official as saying U.S. intelligence had observed suspicious vehicle movements at a North Korean test site. An unidentified senior State Department official later said the U.S. intelligence community considered a test to be a real possibility.

"We believe that with account for efforts to resolve the situation on the Korean Peninsula, escalating tensions would be counterproductive, while all suspicions should be cleared up at the negotiating table," the Russian ministry said.

North Korea conducted test launches of ballistic missiles in early July, including a long-range Taepodong-2, in an apparent attempt to force the international community, especially the U.S., to make concessions during nuclear talks.

The six-nation talks, which involve North and South Korea, Russia, China, Japan and the United States on resolving the problems around North Korea's controversial nuclear programs opened in 2003, but stalled in last November.