North Korea Still Considers Itself Committed to 1994 Agreement with the U.S.

North Korea still considers itself committed to the 1994 agreement with the U.S. - November 7, 2002. A former U.S. ambassador quoted a senior North Korean official as saying that the country's commitment to dismantling its weapons program is now at a very delicate stage. Donald Gregg, the former U.S. ambassador, visited Pyongyang earlier this week and held discussions with Kang Sok-Ju, North Korea's Deputy Foreign Minister. He subsequently quoted Mr. Kang as saying that North Korea still considers itself committed to the 1994 agreement with the U.S. Last month, the U.S. announced that Pyongyang had acknowledged enriching uranium needed for nuclear bomb construction. Now, Mr. Gregg states that the North Koreans neither confirm nor deny their efforts to enrich uranium. However, North Korea emphasizes that it has the right to produce nuclear weapons for self-defense against the U.S. Continuing the news, a senior U.S. envoy says there is no easy or clear solution to the North Korean nuclear weapons program issue. Douglas Feith, Deputy Secretary of Defense, stated today in Seoul, South Korea, during a press conference that many issues regarding North Korea's nuclear program remain unclear, including whether North Korea has been able to enrich uranium for nuclear bomb production. North Korea has suggested that to alleviate U.S. concerns about its nuclear program, a non-aggression pact should be signed between the two countries. Washington rejects this proposal, stating that Pyongyang must end its nuclear program before any discussions can take place.