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N Korea 'destroys reactor tower' N Korea demolishes reactor tower
(about 2 hours later)
North Korea has demolished the cooling tower at its Yongbyon nuclear reactor, in a symbol of its commitment to talks on disarmament, say South Korean media. North Korea has demolished the cooling tower at its Yongbyon nuclear reactor, in a symbol of its commitment to talks on disarmament.
International TV crews were invited to witness the tower's demolition. International television crews were invited to witness the tower being blown up.
The move comes a day after the isolated state handed over long-awaited details of its nuclear programme, but no account of its weapons stockpile.The move comes a day after the isolated state handed over long-awaited details of its nuclear programme, but no account of its weapons stockpile.
In return, the White House agreed to scrap some sanctions and remove it from a list of states sponsoring terrorism. In return, the US has removed it from a list of states sponsoring terrorism.
The Yongbyon reactor was shut in July last year as part of a six-party agreement reached 16 months ago when the North said it would scrap its nuclear ambitions in return for aid and diplomatic concessions. State media reported North Korea's Foreign Ministry had welcomed the state's removal from the list, regarding it as a "positive step".
YONGBYON COOLING TOWER It is 20m (65ft) highIn operation since March 2003A key element of the reactor, although Yongbyon was already in the process of being decommissionedCooling tower is a simple piece of equipment that could easily, though not invisibly, be rebuilt class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1132268.stm">North Korea: Timeline The Yongbyon reactor was shut in July last year as part of a six-party agreement reached 16 months ago, when the North said it would scrap its nuclear ambitions in return for aid and diplomatic concessions.
YONGBYON COOLING TOWER It was 20m (65ft) highIn operation since March 2003A key element of the reactor, although Yongbyon was already in the process of being decommissionedCooling tower is a simple piece of equipment that could easily, though not invisibly, be rebuilt North Korea: Timeline
Analysts say that while the destruction of the tower is not, in itself, a huge step forward, it is still being seen as an important gesture.Analysts say that while the destruction of the tower is not, in itself, a huge step forward, it is still being seen as an important gesture.
"It was a significant and very important step," said US State Department official Sung Kim, who witnessed the event.
"As I saw it, it was a complete demolition."
America has agreed to scrap some sanctions as well as removing the state from its list of terrorist sponsors.
"We assess this as a positive step and welcome it," a foreign ministry spokesman told the North's official Korean Central News Agency.
The reactor, 96 km (60 miles) north of Pyongyang, produced plutonium for the North's nuclear weapons test in 2006.The reactor, 96 km (60 miles) north of Pyongyang, produced plutonium for the North's nuclear weapons test in 2006.
The BBC's world affairs correspondent said that blowing up the cooling tower meant it would take North Korea about a year to revive its plutonium production, and it would be obvious if it was doing so.
However, he added that "bigger hurdles remain" - including the critical issue of actual weapons stockpiles, as well as suspected North Korean proliferation activities - particularly the supposed Syrian connection.
South Korea said on Friday it hoped a new round of six-party talks - which also include North Korea, Japan, Russia, China and the US - could begin next month.South Korea said on Friday it hoped a new round of six-party talks - which also include North Korea, Japan, Russia, China and the US - could begin next month.
Meanwhile, the negotiating team has been poring over Pyongyang's 60-page declaration, submitted on Thursday.Meanwhile, the negotiating team has been poring over Pyongyang's 60-page declaration, submitted on Thursday.
Six months overdue, the account is expected to cover the North's plutonium production activities.Six months overdue, the account is expected to cover the North's plutonium production activities.
But, as well as omitting any tally of its nuclear arsenal, the dossier also omits any mention of a suspected uranium enrichment programme or claims it helped Syria build a nuclear facility, all denied by Pyongyang. But the dossier omits any tally of its nuclear arsenal, any mention of a suspected uranium enrichment programme or claims it helped Syria build a nuclear facility, all denied by Pyongyang.
Mr Bush has emphasised moves to take the North off the US terror list would not begin for 45 days, and only if its nuclear declaration was verified.Mr Bush has emphasised moves to take the North off the US terror list would not begin for 45 days, and only if its nuclear declaration was verified.
But former US envoy to the UN, John Bolton, labelled the decision "shameful" and the "final collapse of Bush's foreign policy". But former US envoy to the UN John Bolton labelled the decision "shameful" and the "final collapse of Bush's foreign policy".
What is your reaction to the North Korea handover? Does the move do enough to allay regional fears? Send us your comments using the form below. What is your reaction to the North Korea moves? Are they enough to allay regional fears? Send us your comments using the form below.
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