IAEA sends North Korea Crisis to Security Council

IAEA sends North Korea Crisis to Security Council

IAEA sends North Korea Crisis to Security Council irs The governing board of the UN nuclear agency (IAEA) passed a resolution Wednesday declaring North Korea in breach of UN safeguards and sent the issue to the UN Security Council. The 35-nation governing board said North Korea was in "non-compliance". The resolution expressed deep concern that the nuclear agency is not able to verify that there has been no diversion of nuclear material subject to safeguards to nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. It called on North Korea to peacefully resolve the crisis through diplomatic means. The nuclear crisis erupted last October when the United States said North Korea had admitted to pursuing a programme to enrich uranium.

North Korea Non-Compliance sets Dangerous Precedent, says Head of Nuclear Agency The head of the UN nuclear agency (IAEA) says the current non-compliance by North Korea sets a dangerous precedent. Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei argues that if the IAEA is to maintain and preserve the integrity of the non-proliferation agreement, then all parties to the non-proliferation accord must comply with their obligations. " It is very important that the international community deals with all cases of non-compliance of non-proliferation obligations in a consistent fashion. And whether it's Iraq, whether it's North Korea, cases of non-compliance must be addressed with the same approach - zero tolerance." Speaking at a press conference moments ago, Dr. ElBaradei says the IAEA remains committed to working with North Korea with a view to securing full compliance. Annan will discuss with Security Council UN Contingency Plans for Iraq The UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will discuss on Thursday with the 15 members of the UN Security Council the status of the UN's humanitarian contingency plans for Iraq. This will be an informal meeting. While the Secretary-General still feels war is not inevitable, he believes he should address the status of the plans at this stage. About 2 months ago he asked the Deputy Secretary-General to consult with UN agencies, funds and programs for maximum coordination systemwide in the event of a humanitarian emergency. He wishes to report now on the result of her efforts. Such planning is a normal part of the UN's work.

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