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N Korea agrees nuclear deadline N Korea agrees nuclear deadline
(41 minutes later)
North Korea has agreed to disable its main nuclear reactor and give complete details of its nuclear programme by 31 December, Chinese officials say.North Korea has agreed to disable its main nuclear reactor and give complete details of its nuclear programme by 31 December, Chinese officials say.
The agreement came after negotiations last week in Beijing involving China, the US, Japan, Russia and the Koreas.The agreement came after negotiations last week in Beijing involving China, the US, Japan, Russia and the Koreas.
The US hailed the deal, calling it a major step towards the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.The US hailed the deal, calling it a major step towards the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.
Pyongyang tested a nuclear device last year but agreed to end its nuclear programme for aid and other rewards.Pyongyang tested a nuclear device last year but agreed to end its nuclear programme for aid and other rewards.
The deal was announced by Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Dawei.The deal was announced by Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Dawei.
He said North Korea had committed itself to disabling its experimental nuclear reactor at the Yongbyon site as well as a reprocessing plant and equipment for the production of fuel rods.He said North Korea had committed itself to disabling its experimental nuclear reactor at the Yongbyon site as well as a reprocessing plant and equipment for the production of fuel rods.
FEBRUARY DEAL N Korea to "shut down and seal" Yongbyon reactor, then disable all nuclear facilitiesIn return, will be given 1m tons of heavy fuel oilN Korea to invite IAEA back to monitor dealUnder earlier 2005 deal, N Korea agreed to end nuclear programme and return to non-proliferation treatyN Korea's demand for light water reactor to be discussed at "appropriate time" Q&A: N Korea stand-off Timeline: Nuclear crisis href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7025222.stm">Seoul hails Korea summit FEBRUARY DEAL N Korea to "shut down and seal" Yongbyon reactor, then disable all nuclear facilitiesIn return, will be given 1m tons of heavy fuel oilN Korea to invite IAEA back to monitor dealUnder earlier 2005 deal, N Korea agreed to end nuclear programme and return to non-proliferation treatyN Korea's demand for light water reactor to be discussed at "appropriate time" Q&A: N Korea stand-off Timeline: Nuclear crisis href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7026468.stm">Key excerpts: Reactor deal
Under the agreement, a team of experts led by the US will arrive in North Korea in the coming weeks to begin preparing the reactor complex for disablement by the year's end.Under the agreement, a team of experts led by the US will arrive in North Korea in the coming weeks to begin preparing the reactor complex for disablement by the year's end.
The facilities are believed to have produced the material for the test device detonated a year ago, proving the regime's nuclear capability.The facilities are believed to have produced the material for the test device detonated a year ago, proving the regime's nuclear capability.
North Korea also agreed to give a "complete and correct declaration" of its nuclear programmes, Mr Wu said.North Korea also agreed to give a "complete and correct declaration" of its nuclear programmes, Mr Wu said.
US President George W Bush welcomed the deal.US President George W Bush welcomed the deal.
Implementation of the agreement would end North Korea's production of plutonium, "a major step towards the goal of achieving the verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula", a White House spokesman said.Implementation of the agreement would end North Korea's production of plutonium, "a major step towards the goal of achieving the verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula", a White House spokesman said.
Slow processSlow process
The latest round of six-nation talks was aimed at developing a timetable for the latest stage of the denuclearisation process agreed in February.The latest round of six-nation talks was aimed at developing a timetable for the latest stage of the denuclearisation process agreed in February.
Under the first phase of the deal, Pyongyang shut down the Yongbyon reactor and four other related facilities in July.Under the first phase of the deal, Pyongyang shut down the Yongbyon reactor and four other related facilities in July.
It also allowed inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) into the country.It also allowed inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) into the country.
In return, it received 100,000 metric tons of heavy fuel oil from South Korea.In return, it received 100,000 metric tons of heavy fuel oil from South Korea.
A further 900,000 tons is dependent on the North completing the second phase - declaring and permanently disabling all its nuclear facilities.A further 900,000 tons is dependent on the North completing the second phase - declaring and permanently disabling all its nuclear facilities.
But the BBC's Jon Sudworth in Seoul says the final, crucial phase - surrendering the North's existing nuclear stockpile - is not due to be implemented until next year, and many experts believe this step will prove the biggest challenge.But the BBC's Jon Sudworth in Seoul says the final, crucial phase - surrendering the North's existing nuclear stockpile - is not due to be implemented until next year, and many experts believe this step will prove the biggest challenge.
Japan on Wednesday said that despite the latest agreement, it would not resume its aid to Pyongyang, citing lack of progress in the dispute over the kidnapping of Japanese nationals by North Korea.Japan on Wednesday said that despite the latest agreement, it would not resume its aid to Pyongyang, citing lack of progress in the dispute over the kidnapping of Japanese nationals by North Korea.
The announcement came as the leaders of North and South Korea met for a historic summit in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang - only the second such meeting since the end of the Korean war.The announcement came as the leaders of North and South Korea met for a historic summit in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang - only the second such meeting since the end of the Korean war.