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North Korea undermines nuclear deal reached earlier
Last Updated Mon, 19 Sep 2005 23:43:27 EDT
CBC News

North Korea demanded Tuesday that the United States give it a light water nuclear reactor before it rejoins the international Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and ends its weapons program.

The demand significantly undermines a deal North Korea reached just a day earlier at six-nation talks in Beijing. The six countries, including the United States had agreed on a set of principles on dismantling North Korea's nuclear programs in return for aid and inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

North Korea's news agency said Tuesday "The United States should not even dream of the issue of North Korea dismantling its nuclear deterrent before providing light-water reactors." The statement said the demand was a basis of confidence building to the North Korean government.

In Washington, a U.S. State Department spokesman said he could not immediately comment on the North Korean statement.

During the talks, North Korea had demanded it be given the light water reactor but Washington had said it and other participating countries wouldn't meet the request.

Light water reactors are less easily diverted for weapons use.

A joint statement at the end of the talks indicated that the question was being put aside for the time being. The envoys, from China, Japan, the United States and the two Koreas, agreed to return in early November to begin working out the details of how to implement the broad principles outlined in Monday's agreement.