Posted on 04/14/2007 12:38:52 PM PDT by Cinnamon
An April 14 deadline has passed and there are no signs that North Korea has begun to shut down its main nuclear reactor, as it agreed to do in February. VOA's Luis Ramirez reports from Beijing, where diplomats have gathered to see where the nuclear disarmament negotiations are going next.
Chief US negotiator, Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, speaks to the press in Beijing, China Saturday 14 Apr 2007 Chief US negotiator, Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, speaks to the press in Beijing, 14 Apr 2007 The four-year-old process to get North Korea to begin dismantling its nuclear programs remained stalled Saturday.
North Korea failed to shut down its main reactor at Yongbyon, because it has yet to receive any of the $25 million that was unfrozen at a bank in Macau. The transfer of the funds, which were in North Korean accounts, has been delayed by what officials describe as banking technicalities.
The United States envoy to the six-nation nuclear negotiations, Christopher Hill, met with Chinese officials here Saturday to discuss the next step. Hill said the momentum of the disarmament process has slipped, and he planned to return to Washington on Sunday.
"Obviously, when you see a deadline missed, there's reason to be concerned," said Mr. Hill.
However, Hill did not suggest the process has been derailed. He said all the participants in the negotiations, which also include the two Koreas, Japan, and Russia, will remain in close contact. Hill said officials of China, the host of the negotiations, urged patience on Saturday.
"The Chinese were not discouraged by this process, and do believe there's some progress being achieved," he said. "For that reason, they ask that - I wouldn't say show patience - I would say [we] continue to show patience, because that's exactly what we've been doing."
The funds were frozen at Macau's Banco Delta Asia during an 18-month U.S. investigation into alleged money laundering by the bank. After the February agreement in the nuclear negotiations, the U.S. opened the way for the release of the money.
North Korea on Friday said it would begin shutting down its nuclear program as soon as it confirmed the funds had been transferred.
Quel surprise....
Someone needs to get the UN on the case....better yet, the US State Department.
Gambling at Ricks? I’m shocked!
I thought we were winning?
This could really wind up looking bad... We go six years saying we won’t negotiate with North Korea and get all kinds of criticism.
Then we change and negotiate with North Korea and get double crossed.
Of course when the President’s negotiators were they they indicated there might be some flexibility in the shut down date because we were now too close to shut it down safely.
So there is some hope.
Send Jimmah Carter,he’ll fix everything.
This is on account of the Pelosi-effect. The NK perceive us now as whimpering gonad-free sh*ts, unworthy of any respect. JMO.
I’m deeply saddened.
I’m also shockt and stuned!
As far as Kimmy is concerned, the rest of the North Korean population can continue to loose height from malnutrition as they have done for the past 50 years.
If Hillary wins, expect Oogo and Ahmdfsdhjkjhdfad to spend a couple of nights each in the Lincoln bedroom.
It is too east for me to criticize, and I know the fact Seoul is within range of NK is a factor, but BOY is this annoying. Especially after the sorry affair between the UK hostages and Iran.
Shocked!
The NK appeaser Governor Bill Richardson, Democrat, New Mexico was telling the press a week ago how instrumental he was in getting an agreement to free up 25 million dollars the North Koreans wanted before they would “abide” to their agreement.
Wonder what kind of a % he got this time out of it?
Wonder if the press will remember what he said a week ago assuring him he had NK word they would do as they said once they got the 25 million.
What a jackass.
“I’m thinking we got fooled again...”
Blame Democrat Governor Bill Richardson. He stuck his nose in it again.
“North Korea failed to shut down its main reactor at Yongbyon, because it has yet to receive any of the $25 million that was unfrozen at a bank in Macau. “
Pretty good reason I would say. Especially if this was a precondition for the shutdown.
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