North Korea has confirmed that it is preparing to shut down its nuclear facilities, an Australian diplomat said in Beijing yesterday.

 

North Korea also reiterated its intention to allow inspectors from the IAEA to verify that action, Peter Baxter, first assistant secretary of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, told reporters at the Australian embassy.

 

Baxter led a delegation on a four-day visit to North Korea where he discussed the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula with North Korean officials.

 

"The North Korean government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the agreement they made under the six-party talks," Baxter said.

 

The six parties, involving China, the US, Russia, Japan, North and South Korea, clinched a deal on February 13 in which Pyongyang committed to abandon its nuclear facilities in exchange for economic and energy aid.

 

North Korea agreed to shut down and seal its Yongbyon nuclear complex and allow IAEA inspectors into the country within 60 days, during which the other five parties would provide it with energy equivalent to 50,000 tons of heavy fuel oil.

 

North Korea made it clear that as long as the other five parties fulfill their obligations, it would meet the deadline by mid-April and seal its Yongbyon facilities and have that verified, Baxter said.

 

He said Australia was ready to support North Korea with energy aid and development assistance only if Pyongyang honors its commitment to dismantling its nuclear facilities.

 

Baxter's visit to North Korea coincided with IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei's two-day trip to the country. Baxter said he had a brief discussion with ElBaradei in Pyongyang.

 

"The purpose of his (ElBaradei) visit is to discuss the precise time frame in which North Korea would actually complete the process of shutting down the Yongbyon nuclear facilities and allowing inspectors," Baxter said.

 

He said North Korea did not confirm whether it had a uranium enrichment program, but it intends to make a comprehensive declaration that covers all of nuclear facilities and programs.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 16, 2007)