Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

China says N. Korea enriches uranium



Tokyo, Japan, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- China has told members of the six-party talks concerning North Korean nuclear activity the North has tried to enrich uranium, the Kyodo News reported Sunday.


That is the first time China has confirmed North Korea's aim to enrich uranium, a key focus of the group consisting of representatives from Japan, Russia, South Korea, North Korea, China and the United States.

North Korea has denied trying to enrich uranium, and China had previously expressed doubts about U.S. claims that Pyongyang had an ongoing uranium-enrichment program.

But China now had told Japan and other panel members that North Korea "at least has attempted to enrich" uranium, Kyodo News reported, citing an unidentified source close to the talks.

Some analysts believe China's assertion may lead North Korea to admit it has a low-level nuclear enrichment program for energy use.



http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20041003-021512-9570r.htm