IAEA chief repeats call for return to talks on N.Korea, Iran
(AFP)Updated: 2006-12-08 17:02
JAKARTA - UN atomic watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei has called for a resumption of negotiations to resolve the crises over the North Korean and Iranian nuclear issues.
 UN atomic watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei, seen here, has called for a resumption of negotiations to resolve the crises over the North Korean and Iranian nuclear issues. [AFP]  |
"I hope with the six-party talks, or any other channels, that we would be able to come up with a solution to the North Korean nuclear issue," he told a press conference.
"There is a lot of implications on East Asia so the earlier we complete and find a solution it is better for everybody," he said.
"As I said, now there are sanctions imposed on North Korea but we need to put our focus on dialogue and negotiations and be able to find a solution acceptable to both parties."
ELBaradei said a comprehensive solution to the crisis would have to address North Korea's security and economic needs.
Pyongyang agreed on October 31 to return to the six-nation talks aimed at persuading it abandon its nuclear ambitions in return for economic and security guarantees but no date has been set for the next round.
ElBaradei's visit to Indonesia comes as North Korea continues to face heavy international pressure, including United Nations sanctions, following its first atomic bomb test on October 9.
Western nations are also pressing for sanctions against Iran over its uranium enrichment programme, which they fear is part of a drive to build a nuclear bomb.
ElBaradei said he was "looking forward to the resumption on negotiations as I said before sanctions alone is not a solution" to Tehran's nuclear drive.
He was due to meet Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the speaker of the parliament later Friday.
Indonesia is a signatory of the non-proliferation treaty and a member of the United Nations Security Council.
ElBaradei's visit is part of his Asia tour to Japan and China.
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