Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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July 21, 2007

North Korea Requests Light-Water Reactors as Disarmament Reward
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1837CDB:A6F02AD83191E160D6FAB152E8107FD29574F7DCC14957C0 Nuclear negotiator
Kim Kye Kwan says Pyongyang should receive reactors to generate power
in exchange for disabling Yongbyon nuclear facilities North Korea's
nuclear negotiator says Pyongyang should receive light-water reactors
to generate power in exchange for disabling its Yongbyon nuclear
facilities.

Speaking with reporters Saturday at Beijing's airport, Kim Kye Kwan
said he was pleased with latest round of six-party talks on
dismantling his country's nuclear weapons program. No deadline to
disable Pyongyang's nuclear facilities was reached during the three
days of talks, which ended Friday.

China's main nuclear envoy, Wu Dawei, said North Korea did reiterate
its commitment to declare all of its nuclear programs and disable all
of its existing nuclear facilities.

Pyongyang's proposal is similar to an agreement it reached with the
United States in 1994 that later fell through. In September of 2005,
members of the six nation talks agreed they could discuss the
possibility of a light water reactor for Pyongyang when the time is
right.

The six party talks - between the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and
the United States - will continue in September.







Christopher Hill in Beijing, 19 Jul 2007U.S. Assistant Secretary of
State Christopher Hill said the six nations decided to wait and let
working groups help create a clear roadmap for a deadline. Hill said
this week was the most productive in the six-party process.

The chief U.S. nuclear negotiator also said that while it is going to
be difficult, he still believes that with a "little luck," North Korea
can disable its nuclear facilities by the end of the year.

U.N. inspectors this week confirmed that North Korea has shut down its
main Yongbyon nuclear facility - a first step in February's deal for
the country to end its nuclear aspirations in exchange for fuel and
diplomatic incentives.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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