New US proposal on North Korea nuclear programs - Kyodo
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-10-08 16:44

The United States has drafted a proposal on North Korea's nuclear weapons programs that would call on it to declare all weapons and programs within six months, Kyodo news agency said on Saturday.

At six-party talks last month, North Korea agreed to give up its nuclear activities in return for aid, security guarantees and increased diplomatic recognition.

The next round of talks grouping the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States is scheduled for November.

According to U.S. administration sources quoted by Kyodo, the proposal would require North Korea to declare its nuclear activities through a two-stage process -- a move that would allow the two nations to build up mutual confidence through a more prolonged verification period.

The draft proposal calls for Pyongyang to make a preliminary declaration once agreement was reached at the next round of talks, focusing on its current nuclear activities such as uranium enrichment and plutonium-based nuclear development.

Based on this declaration, North Korea would immediately shut down all related facilities and halt all development activities, while related nuclear materials would be brought under international administration, Kyodo quoted one source as saying.

North Korea would then be required to make a "comprehensive" declaration, involving all of its nuclear facilities, related materials and equipment, within three to six months.

The proposal is also expected to call for securing the right for challenge inspections, Kyodo said.

The November round of talks is expected to move from principles to an implementation plan in which North Korea sets a timetable for disarmament, and the other five states outline how they will then provide it with aid and other assistance.