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Politics

N. Korea nuclear accord is criticized

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published February 14, 2007

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration called a deal to begin dismantling North Korea's nuclear weapons program a breakthrough, but the North's history of broken promises kept the celebrations to a minimum.

The bargain gives North Korea energy, food and other aid in exchange for shuttering its main nuclear reactor. It does not expressly require the North to give up existing weapons or testing now, and the agreement does not spell out how negotiators will resolve issues that have derailed previous pacts.

President Bush, who once labeled North Korea part of an "axis of evil," said the deal is a promising first step toward getting rid of the North's nuclear weapons.

"These talks represent the best opportunity to use diplomacy to address North Korea's nuclear programs," Bush said in a cautious statement that stressed North Korea's obligations while saying little about what the United States would do.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice repeatedly urged patience. "This is not the end of the story," Rice told reporters.

Skepticism was wide and criticism swift, focusing on the troubled history of negotiations with the reclusive and unpredictable communist regime and reneging by it.

On the right, former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton joined conservative commentators in calling the deal Pollyannaish.

On the left, Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., and other critics said Bush could have had the same deal years ago if he had not been so rigid in his approach to the North.

North Korea pact

A look at the agreement on dismantling North Korea's nuclear weapons programs:

Within 30 days: Five separate working groups to meet on denuclearization, normalization of U.S.-North Korea relations, normalization of North Korea-Japan relations, economy and energy cooperation, and peace and security in Northeast Asia.

Within 60 days: North Korea to shut down and seal its main nuclear reactor and related facilities at Yongbyon, accept International Atomic Energy Agency monitors, disclose a list of its nuclear programs and receive energy assistance equal to 50,000 tons of heavy fuel oil.

Future steps: North Korea to receive further energy or other aid equivalent to 950,000 tons of heavy fuel oil in return for irreversibly disabling the reactor and declaring all nuclear programs.

Fast Facts:

North Korea pact

A look at the agreement on dismantling North Korea's nuclear weapons programs:

Within 30 days: Five separate working groups to meet on denuclearization, normalization of U.S.-North Korea relations, normalization of North Korea-Japan relations, economy and energy cooperation, and peace and security in Northeast Asia.

Within 60 days: North Korea to shut down and seal its main nuclear reactor and related facilities at Yongbyon, accept International Atomic Energy Agency monitors, disclose a list of its nuclear programs and receive energy assistance equal to 50,000 tons of heavy fuel oil.

Future steps: North Korea to receive further energy or other aid equivalent to 950,000 tons of heavy fuel oil in return for irreversibly disabling the reactor and declaring all nuclear programs.

[Last modified February 14, 2007, 01:07:13]