U.S. State Department Statement on the Second-Phase Actions for the Implementation of the September 2005 Joint Statement
Policy Forum Online 07-075A: October 5th, 2007
CONTENTS
II. US State Department Statement
III. Nautilus invites your responses
I. Introduction
This is the U.S. State Department Statement regarding the Second-Phase Actions for the Implementation of the September 2005 Joint Statement agreement reached at the meeting of the Six Party Talks on October 2nd, 2007.This Statement originally published in the Nelson Report.The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Nautilus Institute. Readers should note that Nautilus seeks a diversity of views and opinions on contentious topics in order to identify common ground.
II. US State Department Statement
– “U.S. State Department Statement on the Second-Phase Actions for the Implementation of the September 2005 Joint Statement”October 3, 2007 Agreement on “Second-Phase Actions for the Implementation of the Joint Statement”* On October 3, 2007, the Six Parties – the United States, China, Japan, Russia, the DPRK, and the ROK – agreed on “Second-Phase Actions for Implementation of the Joint Statement.”* The United States welcomes the Oct. 3 agreement, which outlines a roadmap for a declaration of the DPRK’s nuclear programs and disablement of its core nuclear facilities at Yongbyon by the end of the year.* These Second-Phase actions effectively end the DPRK’s production of plutonium – a major step towards the goal of achieving the verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.* We intend to work closely with the other parties to implement Second-Phase actions as expeditiously and effectively as possible.* Under the terms of the Oct. 3 agreement:- The DPRK agreed to provide a complete and correct declaration of all its nuclear programs – including clarification regarding the uranium issue – by the end of the year.- The DPRK agreed to disable all existing nuclear facilities subject to the September 2005 Joint Statement and February 13 Agreement. As a start, the core nuclear facilities at Yongbyon – 5-MW(e) nuclear reactor, reprocessing plant (Radiochemical Laboratory), and fuel rod fabrication facility – are to be disabled by the end of the year.- The DPRK committed not to transfer nuclear materials, technology, or know-how.- The United States reaffirmed its intent to fulfill its commitments regarding the removal of the designation of the DPRK as a state sponsor of terrorism and the termination of the application of the Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA) with respect to the DPRK.- U.S. action related to the terrorism designation and TWEA application will depend on the DPRK’s fulfillment of its Second-Phase commitments on providing a declaration and disabling its nuclear facilities.- The DPRK and Japan agreed to make “sincere efforts” to normalize their relations.- The other parties reaffirmed their commitment to providing the DPRK with economic, energy, and humanitarian assistance up to the equivalent of one million tons of heavy fuel oil (HFO), inclusive of the 100,000 metric tons that has already been delivered.- The Six Parties remain committed to holding a ministerial level meeting within the near future.* The Oct. 3 agreement builds on the Feb. 13 agreement on “Initial Actions for the Implementation of the Joint Statement,” pursuant to which the DPRK in July shut down and sealed the Yongbyon nuclear facility and invited back the IAEA to verify and monitor these activities.
Declaration* The declaration will include all nuclear facilities, materials, and programs.* The DPRK also agreed to address concerns related to any uranium enrichment programs and activities.
Disablement* Specific disablement actions will be based on the findings of the U.S.-China-Russia experts who visited the DPRK Sept. 11-15 to survey the facilities at Yongbyon.* The goal of these actions is to ensure that the DPRK would have to expend significant time and effort to reconstitute its ability to produce weapons-grade plutonium.* At the request of the Six Parties, the United States has agreed to lead disablement activities and provide the initial funding for those activities.- As a first step, U.S. experts will lead another delegation to Yongbyon the week of Oct. 8 to prepare to develop operational plans for disablement.- A team of U.S. experts is expected to be back on the ground shortly thereafter to begin disabling the core facilities at Yongbyon, with the goal of completing disablement action by the end of the year, as agreed in the Oct. 3 agreement.- We anticipate that further disablement of other nuclear facilities at Yongbyon and elsewhere may extend beyond Dec. 31, 2007.
U.S.-DPRK Relations: Terrorism/TWEA, Financial WG, Exchanges* The criteria for removing a country’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism and lifting the application of the Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA) are set forth in U.S. law.* U.S. action related to the terrorism designation and TWEA application will depend on the DPRK’s fulfillment of its commitments on providing a declaration and disabling its nuclear facilities.
III. Nautilus invites your responses
The Northeast Asia Peace and Security Network invites your responses to this essay. Please send responses to: bscott@nautilus.org. Responses will be considered for redistribution to the network only if they include the author’s name, affiliation, and explicit consent.
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