Disarmament Documentation

Six Party Talks Postponed, August 29, 2005

North Korea has proposed that Six Party talks on its nuclear programme that were scheduled to be held this week be postponed until the week beginning September 12, 2005.

A North Korean Foreign Ministery spokesperson cited a military exercise conducted by the United States and South Korea and Washington's appointment of a special envoy on human rights. A KCNA statement said:

"What the U.S. has done is little short of spitting at the DPRK."

"It has seriously insulted its dialogue partner and broke faith with the DPRK."

"It is unimaginable for the DPRK to sit at the negotiating table with the U.S. at a time when the powder-reeking war exercises targeted against it are under way."

"It is the stand of the DPRK to open the second-phase of the fourth six-party talks in the week beginning on Sept. 12 when one will be able to view that the war exercises have worn down a bit."

Source: Kyodo, http://www.kyodo.co.jp.