Rice in Moscow for North Korea talks
Condoleezza Rice is trying to boost support for UN sanctions
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Saturday, 21, Oct 2006 01:58
US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice has arrived in Russia for talks that are expected to focus on the nuclear test conducted by North Korean October 9th.
Her visit to Moscow completes a four-nation tour designed to bolster support for UN sanctions imposed against Pyongyang in the wake of the test, with the secretary of state having already held discussions in Japan, South Korea and China.
The talks between Ms Rice and senior Russian politicians, including the country's president Vladimir Putin, come amid unconfirmed reports that North Korea has indicated that it will not carry out a second nuclear test, as had been feared by the international community.
Russia and China, both permanent members of the UN security council, have made clear that they favour a return to dialogue with North Korea, which pulled put of six-nation talks aimed at persuading Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear ambitions last November.
The reclusive communist state has refused to resume diplomatic discussions with South Korea, Russia, Japan, China and the US until unless Washington lifts economic sanctions placed upon the country.
China, North Korea's closest ally and its main supplier of food and fuel, has also expressed concern about a provision passed in UN resolution 1718 which will allow countries to inspect cargo travelling in and out of North Korea for nuclear and military equipment, fearing that it could prompt naval disputes.
Commenting yesterday following talks with Chinese foreign minister Li Zhaoxing, US secretary of state, Ms Rice, described North Korea's announcement of a nuclear test as "a serious provocation", adding that it posed "a threat to international peace and security".
She said that she had stressed the importance of fully implementing resolution 1718 with the Chinese minister, in order to "make certain that there is not a transit and trade in illegal materials" relating to North Korea's weapons programme.
Minister Li stressed that as a permanent member of the security council, China would continue to work towards "peacefully resolving" the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula and to "implement our relevant international obligations and exert our due role in this process".
Meanwhile, press reports claim that a senior Chinese envoy, sent by the country's president Hu Jintao to meet with the North Korean leader, was told that Kim Jong-il's regime was not planning any further nuclear tests.
Former Chinese foreign minister Tang Jiaxuan was sent to Pyongyang earlier this week on the diplomatic mission.
Commenting on the meeting between Kim Jong-il and Mr Tang, the Kyodo news agency quoted Japanese foreign minister Taro Aso as saying: "Though it is not confirmed, we have obtained information that he told Mr Tang the country won't conduct a second nuclear test."