|
North Korea's state-run news agency reported Tuesday the country stands to get 1 million tons of heavy fuel oil for a mere ¡°temporary¡± suspension of its nuclear activities, a claim at loggerheads with the text of an agreement reached in six-party nuclear talks in Beijing. The Korea Central News Agency on the night of the agreement said the five countries ¡°decided to provide economic and energy aid equivalent to 1 million tons of heavy fuel oil in connection with [North Korea's] temporary suspension of operation of its nuclear facilities.¡± But that is less than the ¡°shutdown¡± of the nuclear facilities and ¡°canning¡± of spent fuel rods North Korea undertook within 60 days of the agreement, in the lead-up to ¡°disabling¡± its nuclear facilities. The shutdown entitles North Korea to 50,000 tons of heavy fuel oil, with the rest depending on how far it goes on the road to disabling the facilities.
A South Korean government official played down the report as ¡°propaganda aimed at the North Korean people.¡± However, it would be entirely in character for Pyongyang to stall by demanding immediate provision of the full aid in follow-up working group talks.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
|
