NKorea draft accord could freeze nuke program within 2 mths - UPDATE |
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Fri, 09 Feb 2007 10:35
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BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - North Korea said it was ready for compromise on its nuclear program as envoys from six nations worked on a draft accord that could see the regime freezing its nuclear facilities within two months, press reports said.In the draft, circulated by China, North Korea would freeze its main nuclear-related facilities within two months in return for alternative energy sources, the reports said.Although envoys to the talks refused to confirm details, they said the draft raised hopes Pyongyang could begin the process of disarming.'There are some agreements and some contentious points as well. We are trying to make a compromise. Please wait and see,' chief North Korean envoy Kim Kye-Gwan told reporters earlier.South Korea's Yonhap news agency, citing unidentified but multiple sources, reported that the draft accord involved North Korea committing to freeze its five-megawatt nuclear reactor at Yongbyon and a radiochemical laboratory.It would also have to allow international nuclear inspectors back into the country, and in return would receive an unspecified amount of energy aid from the five other countries involved in the talks, Yonhap said.The five countries are the US, South Korea, China, Japan and Russia.Scott Snyder, a senior associate at US-based The Asia Foundation, meanwhile said the first phase of the deal under negotiation would see North Korea freeze its Yongbyon reactor and allow inspectors back in exchange for at least 500,000 metric tons of oil.North Korea would also want to see at least a partial lifting of US financial sanctions, which have seen 24 mln usd frozen in a Macau bank, he said.South Korea's chief envoy, Chun Yung-Woo, said earlier today the draft accord contained concrete measures and that it formed a good basis for consultations between the six nations.afp
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US envoy calls for fast progress in NKorea nuke talks 