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US insists on verification of DPRK nuclear program

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-19 07:39

WASHINGTON -- The United States insisted on Monday that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) must agree to verify its nuclear program before being delisted from terrorism blacklist.

Related readings:  DPRK denounces US for terrorism blacklist  DPRK vows to beef up military power against US threats

"What we require right now is that verification package from North Korea before we can go forward with the delisting," State Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters.

Wood made remarks after the DPRK denounced Washington for breaking its promise to remove the DPRK from its list of terrorism sponsors.

The United States has breached the basic "action for action" principle of denuclearization, even though the DPRK has submitted the declaration of its nuclear inventory, said a commentary by the official KCNA news agency on Monday.

This shows the United States is attempting to stonewall the six- party talks aimed at the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and to impose pressure on the DPRK, the commentary said.

The DPRK handed over its long-awaited nuclear declaration on June 26. Soon after the announcement, US President George W. Bush said that his government intended to lift sanctions on the DPRK under the "Trading with the Enemy Act."

While calling for full disclosure of nuclear programs and activities by Pyongyang, Bush also said that he would notify Congress of his intention to remove the DPRK from the list of state sponsors of terrorism in 45 days.