NKorean official rejects pessimism on nuclear deal

NKorean official rejects pessimism on nuclear deal

	Published : Fri, 13 Apr 2007 12:14 By : Agencies Print this Story

PYONGYANG, North Korea (XFN-ASIA) - A government official here told Agence France Presse (AFP) there was no reason to be 'pessimistic' about the fate of a six-nation nuclear accord, saying Pyongyang will respect its commitments once a row on funds is resolved.

Under the breakthrough February 13 deal, North Korea has until Saturday to start shutting down its nuclear reactor and to allow UN nuclear inspectors.

'There is no reason to be pessimistic. We will be faithful to this agreement if the Americans respect its clauses,' Kim Son-gyong, deputy director of the foreign ministry's European department, told AFP in Pyongyang.

'We will respect our commitment as it is written in the February 13 agreement. No more and no less,' he said.

Under the February 13 agreement, North Korea has 60 days to make its first commitments in return for receiving the first batch of fuel aid.

But North Korea has refused to start shutting down its Yongbyon reactor until it sees 25 mln usd that were blacklisted and frozen in a Macau bank.

The United States says that the money at the Banco Delta Asia has been unblocked and that North Korea can access it.

'We will assume our responsibilities as soon as the 25 mln usd frozen in Macau is in our hands,' Kim said.

'Today marks 60 days. At the current time, the money isn't in our hands. There has only been a verbal statement (by the United States) which we were in the midst of verifying. But there is no reason to be pessimistic,' Kim said.

The six-nation talks include China, Japan, the two Koreas, Russia and the United States.

afp