|
China urges N.Korea, US to work out differences
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-05 21:13
China urges North Korea and the United States to work out their problems in
order to make progress in talks on dismantling the North's nuclear weapons
programs, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
U.S. and North Korean soldiers stand guard at
the truce village of Panmunjom in the demilitarized zone, north of Seoul,
November 30, 2005. [Reuters] |
The two Koreas, the United States, Japan, Russia and China agreed at talks in
Beijing in September on a broad set of principles aimed at having the arms
programs scrapped in return for aid and friendly ties.
The talks have since hit a snag, with the main protagonists, Pyongyang and
Washington, sparring over the North's alleged illegal activities to finance its
weapons programs.
"China hopes each party can take the overall situation into consideration and
handle properly issues that both sides are concerned about," spokesman Qin Gang
told a news conference.
"China is willing to play an active and constructive role in pushing forward
the talks," Qin added.
North Korea this week demanded an end to a U.S. crackdown on its financial
dealings before the six-party talks on dismantling its nuclear weapons can
continue.
The United States has clamped down on several North Korean companies it
suspects of involvement in counterfeiting, money laundering and the drugs trade,
saying the illicit businesses had helped fund Pyongyang's drive to develop
atomic weapons.
North Korea declared in February last year it now had nuclear
weapons.
|
