US won't accept nuclear North Korea, says Gates
The US defence secretary said the US could not accept a nuclear North Korea
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Saturday, 30, May 2009 06:10
US defence secretary Robert Gates has said the US will not accept a North Korea with nuclear weapons capability.
Speaking in Singapore at a regional summit, Mr Gates said the authoritarian state's conduct of a second nuclear test and its launching of short-range missiles last week threatened to destabilise the region.
North Korea's neighbour South Korea joined the United States' proliferation security initiative following the tests, a programme under which it could search ships in the region for nuclear materials.
Following the announcement, North Korea renounced the armistice between the two countries in place since the end of the Korean War in 1953, ratcheting up tensions in the region.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Gates said: "The truth of the matter is if they continue on the path they are on, I think the consequences for stability in the region are significant.
"I think it poses the potential for some kind of an arms race here in this region.
"We will not stand idly by as North Korea builds the capability to wreak destruction on any target in the region or on us."
Meanwhile North Korea's ally China stated that it was against nuclear proliferation and wanted a Korean peninsula without nuclear weapons, but asked all participants at the meeting to remain "cool-headed".
People's Liberation Army deputy chief of general staff Ma Xiaotian said: "Our stand on the issue is consistent. We are resolutely opposed to nuclear proliferation.
"Our view is that the Korean peninsula should move towards denuclearisation. Our hope is that all parties concerned will remain cool-headed and take measures to address the problem."
Members of the United Nations are currently discussing a resolution calling for action and the enforcement of sanctions on North Korea's nuclear programme.