[imText1]A resolution to North Korea’s nuclear issue is possible within the Bush Administration’s term said Alexander Vershbow, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea on the 4th. In addition, he asserted that the issue of North Korea’s nuclear facilities could be settled by the end of this year, if North Korea was honest enough.
He said, “I have to be frank and say that, based on North Korea’s actions to date, we cannot be sure that they have made the strategic decision to denuclearize” and added that the U.S. was prepared “to move toward full diplomatic relations (and) remove North Korea’s designation as a state-sponsor of terror.”
“The implementation of the February 13 agreement remains central” he said and “it offers North Korea a clear choice: between denuclearization and all the benefits that will bring the DPRK; or deeper and deeper isolation.”
On the same day, Mr. Vershbow spoke on the direction of U.S. policy towards North Korea’s nuke issue at the breakfast meeting held by the Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation.
Once again, Mr. Vershbow’s comments on resolving the North Korea nuclear issue prior to the end of the Bush Administration’s term shows that there is a lot of focus on gaining results.
Regarding North Korea’s denuclearizing, he stressed, “It is clear, however, that such a decision would benefit North Korea and its people.”
Further, he emphasized that increasing negotiations with North Korea and making progress in the six party talks was critical in disabling the nuclear facilities. Mr. Vershbow also showed determination that North Korea relations would improve, but undeniably the disablement of nukes would have to come first.
Regarding the Feb 13 Agreement and the “initial actions” Mr. Vershbow said “Regrettably, the process of implementing the February 13 Agreement has been delayed due to problems connected with the transfer of North Korea’s funds at Macao’s Banco Delta Asia” and added, “I believe this is a technical banking issue, but still, it has led to an unfortunate loss of momentum.”
Further, he said, “Even so, we remain encouraged that North Korea has stated publicly that it does plan to invite IAEA inspectors and does plan to shut down and seal the Yongbyun nuclear facility.”
“I think it’s important that Korea and the United States, along with our Six-Party partners, maintain a consistent and mutually reinforcing policy toward North Korea” he said. This message he referred to was that “North Korea has clear prospects for improved relations with all of us provided that it continues to make progress of denuclearization.”
He added that Korea’s engagement policy aided ultimately the North Korean people’s social welfare and human rights and said that the international community was encouraged by South Korea’s support for the U.N. human rights resolution.
An anonymous analyst from the National Policy Research Institute said, “The U.S. is trying make an agreement with North Korea to spur results regarding North Korea’s nuclear issue. But the more they do this, the more they are getting allured into North Korea’s schemes” and remarked, “There is no reason for President Bush to cast a present to Kim Jong Il before he leaves office. Rather, there is a high possibility that the Bush Administration will lose all its principles and gains.”
