North Korean leader Kim Jong-il told Chinese special envoy Tang Jiaxuan on Thursday that his country has no plans to conduct an additional nuclear test, a diplomatic source in Beijing said. The source also said Kim made the promise during their meeting in Pyongyang. State Councilor Tang himself told visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice in a meeting in Beijing on Friday that his trip had ¡°not been in vain,¡± suggesting China could arbitrate between North Korea and the U.S.
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North Korean leader Kim Jong-il (fourth from left) poses for a photo with Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan (third from left) and unidentified officials in Pyongyang on Thursday./Yonhap
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Rice on Friday also met Chinese President Hu Jintao and other officials to discuss the North Korean nuclear crisis. At a press conference held after meeting with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Rice said the two ¡°talked about the importance of full implementation of [UN] Resolution 1718¡± and agreed that North Korea ¡°should return to those talks -- six party talks -- without condition and should begin the implementation of the September 2005 agreement of the six parties¡± to dismantle its nuclear program.
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Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice walk to a meeting venue in Beijing on Friday. /Xinhua
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North Korea¡¯s ¡°announcement of a nuclear test was a serious provocation and it poses a threat to the international peace and security, particularly the peace and security of East Asia,¡± the U.S. secretary said. She stressed ¡°the importance of full implementation of Resolution 1718 so that we can make certain that there is not a transit or trade in ¡¦ dangerous illegal materials concerning the nuclear weapons program.¡±
Li for his part promised commitment to the resolution, saying, ¡°As a member state of the United Nations and a permanent member on the UN Security Council, China will, as always, continue to implement our relevant international obligations and exert our due role in this process.¡± But he hinted at a difference in position on the scope of sanctions against North Korea between the U.S. and his country by adding hope that ¡°all relevant parties will keep cool-headed, adopt a prudent and responsible attitude and adhere to dialogue.¡±
In their meetings with Rice, President Hu and Premier Wen Jiabao both stressed the importance of Washington-Beijing cooperation and dialogue in resolving the crisis. ¡°It is essential for the two countries to consult closely on major international and regional issues, especially the highly complicated nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula,¡± the president said. Wen said, ¡°The Korean Peninsula issue now stands at a crossroads, and what course to follow is directly related to peace and stability in east Asia and the world at large. There is no other choice but diplomacy and dialogue.¡±
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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