LWR only after N Korea dismantles weapons: US

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Washington, Sept 21: The United States has said that it would discuss with North Korea the issue of light-water reactor only after the Stalinist state dismantles its weapons programme and rejoins the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

“All we’re saying is if there’s going to be a discussion, not presuming what that discussion (on nuclear power reactor) will entail, state department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said.

“If there’s going to be a discussion, it will only take place after North Korea has done all these things: eliminate its weapons programmes and its weapons, having that elimination dismantlement be verified, rejoining the npt and complying with iaea safeguards,” he said. “Once that’s done, and if people want to talk about civilnuclear programme and light-water reactors, then that would be the appropriate time to do it,” Ereli said.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met her Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing at the United Nations, where both agreed that the North Korean nuclear deal reached in Beijing was binding on the parties.

“They both agreed that the agreement signed in Beijing by the six parties was the binding text for (the) parties, including on the question of light water reactors,” State Deparment spokesman Sean Mccormack said. “Both agreed that the next round of six-party talksshould focus on issues related to the North’s dismantlement of its nuclear programmes and the verification of that dismantlement,” he added.