Russia Reiterates Opposition to Settlement of DPRK's Nuclear Crisis by force

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, June 16, 2003

Russia Reiterates Opposition to Settlement of DPRK's Nuclear Crisis by force

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Russia reiterated Sunday its strong opposition to the settlement of the nuclear crisis on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) by force and to the spread of nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula.

Such solution is "unacceptable," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said in a statement.

He was commenting on the upcoming session of the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on June 17-19 in Cambodian capitalof Phnom Penh, which is to be attended Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov.

The nuclear problem of the DPRK "will occupy a noticeable place" in the session, said Yakovenko. "Our participation ... will contribute to constructive discussions on this issue aimed at finding a generally-acceptable peaceful solution," he added.

The Phnom Penh session will focus on the fight against terrorism and cross-border crimes, including drug trafficking, piracy, money laundering, illegal migration and human trafficking.

"We welcome the beginning of ASEAN forum meetings on ways to counter terrorism and cross-border crimes, and support the forum'santicipated declaration on counter-terrorism cooperation in the area of border security and cooperation in the fight against piracy and other threats to security at sea," he said.

Russia "attaches great importance to these annual events" and "views these meetings as a rare regional mechanism for discussing the most important issues and searching for ways to deal with modern challenges," the spokesman noted.

The nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula erupted last Octoberwhen senior US officials alleged that the DPRK had a secret nuclear weapons program. The United States later suspended its heavy oil shipment to the DPRK while the latter announced it wouldreactivate the frozen nuclear facilities for electricity production. The DPRK also pulled out from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty on Jan. 10.

Since the outbreak of the DPRK-US standoff over the DPRK's nuclear program, Russia has repeatedly expressed willingness to promote a peaceful settlement of the crisis.

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