Evian, June 02: Group of Eight leaders today warned Iran and North Korea to comply with international nuclear safeguards as they unveiled a wide-ranging plan to combat weapons proliferation and terrorism. In a strongly-worded statement, the leaders of the world's most powerful nations called the uncurbed spread of armaments and international terrorism "the pre-eminent threat to international security".
To this end a G8-wide counter-terrorism action group would be formed to share information and coordinate responses, they said.
Among other specific measures announced at the gathering in the French lakeside resort of Evian, the leaders pledged to crack down on the spread of low-level radioactive sources which could be used to make so-called "dirty bombs".
New curbs were also announced on the sale of hand-held anti-aircraft missiles.
"We strongly urge North Korea to visibly, verifiably and irreversibly dismantle any nuclear weapons programs, a fundamental step to facilitate a comprehensive and peaceful solution," the G8 leaders said.
They said Pyongyang's failure to abide by International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards constituted a "clear breach of North Korea's international obligations."
With respect to Iran, the leaders said they would "not ignore the proliferation implications of Iran's advanced nuclear programme," urging "full compliance with its obligation" under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The G8 leaders had shown "strong unity" in demanding Iran comply with the demands, French President Jacques Chirac's spokeswoman Catherine Colonna said. Bureau Report