Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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March 13, 2007

UN Nuclear Chief in North Korea to Discuss Closure of Nuclear
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Facilities
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=169FA49:A6F02AD83191E16069B71346DCD88CC59574F7DCC14957C0 Mohamed ElBaradei
says he will work to get IAEA inspectors back in North Korea





Mohamed ElBaradei of the International Atomic Energy AgencyThe head of
the United Nations nuclear agency is in North Korea to discuss how the
agency can help Pyongyang end its nuclear program.

Mohamed ElBaradei of the International Atomic Energy Agency traveled
to Pyongyang from Beijing Tuesday. He will spend two days in North
Korea.

He says he will try to pave the way for the return of IAEA inspectors
to North Korea, four years after they were kicked out. The inspectors
would verify whether North Korea fulfills its pledge to shut down its
main nuclear complex by mid-April.

North Korea agreed to the plan last month at six-nation negotiations
in Beijing. In return, Pyongyang will receive fuel oil and diplomatic
concessions.

Envoys from North and South Korea, the United States, Japan, China and
Russia will meet again in Beijing March 19th.

The top U.S. nuclear negotiator, Christopher Hill, is scheduled to
arrive in Beijing Wednesday.

U.S. officials say Hill will join working group talks established
under the six-nation deal.

North Korea expelled IAEA inspectors in 2002 and abandoned the nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty, triggering a standoff that escalated last
year when Pyongyang detonated its first nuclear device. Some
information for this report was provided by AFP.


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