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N Korea repeats demands for Non-Aggression Treaty from US
Seoul, Aug 27: North Korea today repeated its demand for a Non-Aggression Treaty with the United States, saying it would not give up its `nuclear deterrent force` for anything less than that.
Seoul, Aug 27: North Korea today repeated its demand for a Non-Aggression Treaty with the United States, saying it would not give up its "nuclear deterrent force" for anything less than that.
The demands came as the United States, North Korea, South Korea, China, Russia and Japan began a meeting today in Beijing to resolve a standoff over North Korea's suspected development of nuclear weapons.
"The United States should not try to get us to give up our Republic's nuclear deterrent force with a written security guarantee that is legally non-binding, but should change its policy toward (North Korea) and make clear a willingness to sign a Non-Aggression Treaty," said Rodong Sinmun, the North's official newspaper. The commentary was carried by KCNA, the North's official news agency, and was monitored by South Korea's Yonhap news agency.
Washington has said written security guarantees might be possible, but a treaty requiring Congressional approval is not.
This week's talks, scheduled to end on Friday, are aimed at easing tensions over US complaints that Pyongyang is trying to develop nuclear weapons in violation of a 1994 agreement. According to US officials, the North has proposed giving up its nuclear programmes in return for a security guarantee and economic aid from Washington.
"The United States should not try to get us to give up our Republic's nuclear deterrent force with a written security guarantee that is legally non-binding, but should change its policy toward (North Korea) and make clear a willingness to sign a Non-Aggression Treaty," said Rodong Sinmun, the North's official newspaper. The commentary was carried by KCNA, the North's official news agency, and was monitored by South Korea's Yonhap news agency.
Washington has said written security guarantees might be possible, but a treaty requiring Congressional approval is not.
This week's talks, scheduled to end on Friday, are aimed at easing tensions over US complaints that Pyongyang is trying to develop nuclear weapons in violation of a 1994 agreement. According to US officials, the North has proposed giving up its nuclear programmes in return for a security guarantee and economic aid from Washington.