|
Despite recent reports that Pyongyang has supplied Syria with nuclear materials, U.S. President George W. Bush decided Friday to send 50,000 metric tons of heavy fuel oil to North Korea.
The fuel worth about US$25 million is in accordance with the Feb. 13 agreement, under which the U.S., South Korea, China and Russia pledged North Korea 950,000 tons of fuel oil in return for disabling its nuclear facilities.
"It's action for action," said National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe. "We feel like the North Koreans are taking the right steps in living up to their obligations under the agreements."
The Washington Post on Saturday called Bush's order a "dramatic shift", as the administration cut off fuel shipments to North Korea in 2002 after it accused Pyongyang of operating a clandestine uranium enrichment program.
The U.S. had until then been providing North Korea with 50,000 tons of heavy fuel oil per year under the 1994 Geneva agreements that resolved the first North Korean nuclear crisis.
Some have criticized the U.S. for resuming the oil shipments. The Washington Post said critics have questioned the decision to provide the oil before North Korea completely shuts down its nuclear facilities, and despite reports that North Korea provided nuclear materials to Syria.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
|
