N. Korea agrees to Suspend uranium enrichment, Nuclear Tests http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/n-korea-agrees-to-suspend-uranium-enrichment-nuclear-tests/2012/02/29/gIQAsxwAiR_story.html
N. Korea agrees to suspend uranium enrichment, nuclear tests By William Wan, Updated: Wednesday, February 29, 7:21 AM North Korea has agreed to suspend its uranium-enrichment program and its long-range missile and nuclear tests, the State Department said Wednesday. In return, the United States will provide 240,000 metric tons of food aid. The agreement is the result of talks between U.S. and North Korean negotiators late last week in Beijing — the first such negotiations since the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and the elevation of his son Kim Jong Eun. While U.S. leaders have insisted that the food aid for the impoverished country and nuclear disarmament are separate issues, North Korean officials have tied the two in past negotiations. In the statement released Wednesday morning, State Department said both sides would meet in coming days to finalize the delivery of “an initial 240,000 metric tons of nutritional assistance with the prospect of additional assistance based on continued need.” The amount is equivalent to 264,550 U.S. tons. North Korea also agreed to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency to return to its uranium-enrichment facilities. “To improve the atmosphere for dialogue and demonstrate its commitment to denuclearization, the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] has agreed to implement a moratorium on long-range missile launches, nuclear tests and nuclear activities at Yongbyon, including uranium enrichment activities,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in a statement. She referred to the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center, North Korea’s major nuclear facility about 56 miles north of the capital, Pyongyang. North Korea “has also agreed to the return of IAEA inspectors to verify and monitor the moratorium on uranium enrichment activities at Yongbyon and confirm the disablement” of a five-megawatt reactor and associated facilities, the statement said. “The United States still has profound concerns regarding North Korean behavior across a wide range of areas, but today’s announcement reflects important, if limited, progress in addressing some of these,” Nuland said. She made clear that “intensive monitoring” would be required for the delivery of food aid to North Korea. The statement also reaffirmed that the United States “does not have hostile intent” toward North Korea and said Washington “is prepared to take steps to increase people-to-people exchanges” with the isolated country, “including in the areas of culture, education, and sports.” -- Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time. Have a great day, Tommy -- Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time. Have a great day, Tommy -- Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups. For options & help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more.
