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Skriven 2006-10-03 23:31:40 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (061003a) for Tue, 2006 Oct 3
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Statement on North Korean Nuclear Test
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 3, 2006

Statement on North Korean Nuclear Test



The United States is seriously concerned about today's announcement by the
North Korean government of its intention to undertake a nuclear test. Such
an action would be directly contrary to the interests of all of North
Korea's neighbors and to peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region. We
will work with Japan, South Korea, and all our partners to register our
opposition to this provocative announcement.

The United States and its Six Party partners seek the denuclearization of
the Korean Peninsula through peaceful, diplomatic means.

We continue to strive for implementation of the September 2005 Joint
Statement, which resulted from the Six Party Talks and which offers North
Korea a clear path to a positive future and concrete benefits in return for
carrying out its commitment to denuclearize.

We continue to work with our Six Party partners to bring the North Koreans
back to the talks, most recently offering a Six Party Ministerial meeting
in Malaysia to allow the North Koreans a high-level venue in which to
express their concerns.

We call on all five members of the Six Party Talks and the United Nations
Security Council -- as stated in United Nations Security Council Resolution
1695 -- to exert every effort to persuade North Korea that the test of a
nuclear weapon would only bring its further isolation and would not be in
the interest of the North Korean people.

To our disappointment, North Korea continues to reject these efforts,
refuses to carry out its commitment in the September 2005 Joint Statement
to denuclearize, and has refused to return to the Six Party Talks for 11
months.

A North Korean test of a nuclear weapon would severely undermine our
confidence in North Korea's commitment to denuclearization and to the Six
Party Talks and would pose a threat to peace and security in Asia and the
world. A provocative action of this nature would only further isolate the
North Korean regime and deny the people of the North the benefits offered
to them in the Six Party Talks that they so rightly deserve.

The United States will continue to work with its allies and partners to
discourage such a reckless action and will respond appropriately. We stand
firmly with our allies in the region and reaffirm our commitment to their
security.

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