The Hindu : Russia, S. Korea for dialogue with N. Korea

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2003

International

International

Russia, S. Korea for dialogue with N. Korea

By Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW JAN. 6. Russia and South Korea have rejected pressure tactics in resolving the North Korean nuclear crisis and called for a resumption of dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington.

A communiqué issued at the end of one-day consultations in Moscow on Sunday said Russia and South Korea "shared the view that pressure tactics were inadmissible'' in resolving the stand-off and "the legitimate rights of all sides'' must be respected.

The two sides emphasised "the importance of the K.P.D.R. (North Korea) and the U.S. reviving dialogue and adhering to the 1994 Framework Accord.'' The communiqué can be seen as indirect criticism of the U.S., which triggered the current crisis by halting fuel oil supplies to North Korea in violation of the 1994 accord.

Russia and South Korea shared "many common views and approaches'' on the problem, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, Alexander Losyukov, said after talks with the visiting South Korean counterpart, Kim Hang-kyung. The Itar-Tass news agency quoted Mr. Kim as saying that Russia's involvement was essential as it was the only G-8 country having good relations with North Korea.

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Russia, S. Korea for dialogue with N. Korea