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N Korea enrichment 'beyond doubt' N Korea enrichment 'beyond doubt'
(about 2 hours later)
A top US official, John Negroponte, says he has "no doubt" that North Korea has enriched uranium, and has urged it to reveal all its nuclear activities.A top US official, John Negroponte, says he has "no doubt" that North Korea has enriched uranium, and has urged it to reveal all its nuclear activities.
The deputy secretary of state was speaking after doubts were raised over US intelligence that asserted the existence of a uranium programme.The deputy secretary of state was speaking after doubts were raised over US intelligence that asserted the existence of a uranium programme.
The US and North Korea are currently holding talks in New York.The US and North Korea are currently holding talks in New York.
But Mr Negroponte said a recent deal between the countries hung on North Korea's full nuclear disclosure.But Mr Negroponte said a recent deal between the countries hung on North Korea's full nuclear disclosure.
Speaking during a visit to South Korea, Mr Negroponte said that if the North's declaration of activities omitted any detail "it would have the effect of undermining confidence in this entire arrangement".Speaking during a visit to South Korea, Mr Negroponte said that if the North's declaration of activities omitted any detail "it would have the effect of undermining confidence in this entire arrangement".
They need to come clean on it, explain what they have been doing, why they have been doing it Christopher HillUS Assistant Secretary of State New US approach to N KoreaThey need to come clean on it, explain what they have been doing, why they have been doing it Christopher HillUS Assistant Secretary of State New US approach to N Korea
He said he had "no doubt that North Korea has had a highly enriched uranium programme" and that he expected this to be confirmed by North Korea's declaration.He said he had "no doubt that North Korea has had a highly enriched uranium programme" and that he expected this to be confirmed by North Korea's declaration.
Under the deal reached between the two long-time foes on 13 February, North Korea agreed to shut down its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon within 60 days.Under the deal reached between the two long-time foes on 13 February, North Korea agreed to shut down its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon within 60 days.
Mr Negroponte said this deadline would provide an early test of North Korea's willingness to disarm.Mr Negroponte said this deadline would provide an early test of North Korea's willingness to disarm.
Thaw in relationsThaw in relations
North Korea tested a nuclear bomb last October. It used plutonium, rather than uranium.North Korea tested a nuclear bomb last October. It used plutonium, rather than uranium.
Whether the North has had a uranium enrichment programme has been called into question.Whether the North has had a uranium enrichment programme has been called into question.
The talks are a sign that relations between the countries are thawingThe talks are a sign that relations between the countries are thawing
Its purported existence was the reason given for the US breaking off an existing deal with North Korea in 2002. Its purported existence led to the collapse of an existing deal with North Korea in 2002.
However, a high-level US intelligence officer last week admitted that the US only had "mid confidence" that North Korea had used enrichment equipment.However, a high-level US intelligence officer last week admitted that the US only had "mid confidence" that North Korea had used enrichment equipment.
On Tuesday, US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, who is leading negotiations with North Korea, said it had been buying equipment over the years that was "entirely consistent with a highly enriched uranium program".On Tuesday, US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, who is leading negotiations with North Korea, said it had been buying equipment over the years that was "entirely consistent with a highly enriched uranium program".
He said North Korean officials must "come clean" over why the country had bought such equipment "and how far they have gotten into the process".He said North Korean officials must "come clean" over why the country had bought such equipment "and how far they have gotten into the process".
The New York talks are aimed at normalising diplomatic relations between the US and North Korea for the first time in more than 50 years.The New York talks are aimed at normalising diplomatic relations between the US and North Korea for the first time in more than 50 years.
Mr Hill and the North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister, Kim Kye-gwan, opened discussions on Monday and resumed on Tuesday.Mr Hill and the North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister, Kim Kye-gwan, opened discussions on Monday and resumed on Tuesday.
On the agenda is the US designation of North Korea as a terrorist state, as well as the possible lifting of sanctions against it.On the agenda is the US designation of North Korea as a terrorist state, as well as the possible lifting of sanctions against it.