Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies) – North Korea’s declaration that it is prepared to disable its atomic weapons programmes by end of this year has been met with widespread suspicion and not much confidence in South Korea and Japan. However, Pyongyang’s decision might open the doors to US aid. The United States said Friday that it is prepared to talk with North Korea about providing assistance to the thousands of victims of the recent devastating floods.
According to US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, an agreement was reached whereby “the DPRK will provide a full declaration of all of their nuclear programmes and will disable” them “by the end of this year, 2007.”
This removes all obstacles to restarting the six-nation talks on the complete disarmament of the Korean peninsula. The six nations are China, the United States, Japan, Russia and North and South Korea.
Pledges by North Korea’s Stalinist regime have not however convinced everyone. Unnamed Japanese government sources said that it will take time before Tokyo will trust Pyongyang, especially since it its missiles are still aimed at its neighbour across the Sea of Japan
Sources in Seoul, South Korea, note that South Korean officials are more open. Many are satisfied by the developments in bilateral talks, and insist that only dialogue can lead to a peaceful solution.
In the meantime the fate of North Korean flood victims has not improved. The US government has asked North Korean authorities to allow in humanitarian relief and assistance through non-governmental agencies. A positive response is expected, and aid should start flowing as soon as a formal request is made by Kim jong-il’s government.
