SECRETARY-GENERAL STRONGLY WELCOMES CONSENSUS REACHED AT KOREAN PENINSULA TALKS

SECRETARY-GENERAL STRONGLY WELCOMES CONSENSUS REACHED AT KOREAN PENINSULA TALKS

The following statement, issued yesterday, is attributable to the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General strongly welcomes the consensus reached at the six-party talks in Beijing on the principles for a peaceful and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.  This is a major step towards a comprehensive settlement through multilateral diplomacy of one of the most difficult international security issues. 

The Secretary-General welcomes in particular the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s commitment to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes, as well as its return at an early date to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and to IAEA safeguards.  He is hopeful that this agreement, when fully implemented, will lead to a peninsula free of nuclear weapons, normalized relations and enhanced security between the countries concerned, and flourishing economic cooperation in North-East Asia.

The Secretary-General commends the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the United States, as well as all other participants for their flexibility and realistic approach, as well as for their readiness to overcome differences through dialogue and mutual respect.  China’s efforts were critical for the success of the fourth round of the talks. 

The Secretary-General also welcomes the role played by the Republic of Korea, as well as all other participating governments.  Continued efforts in this direction will be necessary in devising “a road map” for implementation of the agreement just reached.  The United Nations will do its part to support this process toward a successful conclusion.

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For information media • not an official record