US lobbies Russia and China on curbing WMD
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The US and its allies are lobbying China, Russia and South Korea to support the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) aimed at curbing the spread of weapons of mass destruction, while simultaneously pursuing their joint negotiations to resolve the crisis over North Korea's nuclear programme.
A senior US official yesterday said that although the initiative, launched by President George W. Bush in May, was a response to a global challenge, the proliferation of weapons and related technology to and from North Korea remained a major concern.
The PSI, which he described as "a loose association" numbering 11 countries, aims to increase seizures of suspect cargoes.
"This is something we think we can and should pursue simultaneously with the six-party talks in Beijing," the official said, referring to negotiations that began last month involving the US, North and South Korea, China, Russia and Japan.
North Korea is concerned that the new alliance is one step away from enforcing sanctions or a blockade which Pyongyang has warned would lead to war.
But crucially for the success of the US-led effort over North Korea, China, Russia and South Korea have so far declined to sign up to the initiative.
The US official said he had been in contact with the three countries.
South Korea has indicated that PSI was consistent with its non-proliferation concerns and Russia has submitted a list of questions, the US official said.
Paul O'Sullivan, Australia's deputy foreign secretary, went to Beijing on Monday to discuss China's concerns over PSI and maritime exercises to be held off Australia this weekend, involving Australia, the US, France and Japan.
The US intends to lead an interdiction exercise in the Arabian Sea next January. Iran's nuclear and long-range missile programmes, which the US suspects may have been assisted by Pakistan and North Korea, are also under scrutiny.
Concerns that North Korea would use the occasion of its national day celebrations yesterday to carry out its threat to test a nuclear device or declare itself a nuclear power proved unfounded.
Thousands of soldiers and civilians paraded through the streets of Pyongyang but the celebrations were low-key.
"It's good news North Korea has not done anything to provoke the US," said Woo Seong-ji, an analyst at Seoul's institute of foreign affairs and national security. "Pyongyang seems to be sending a message that demonstrates its commitment to diplomacy and dialogue." Even North Korea's rhetoric was subdued compared with past outbursts, though it did repeat a threat to continue developing nuclear weapons unless the US dropped "hostile" policies.
"We should make no concession in defending the country's primary interests and fight imperialists to the end, even at the cost of our lives," said the Workers' party newspaper. The celebrations marked the anniversary of North Korea's establishment as an independent state in 1948. |
