ID :
193093
Tue, 07/05/2011 - 22:00
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/193093
The shortlink copeid
U.S. says it 'understands' EU's food aid
WASHINGTON, July 5 (Yonhap) -- The United States said Tuesday that it "understands" the European Union's decision to provide North Korea with food aid but stressed that it will make its own decision on aid.
"We have noted the EU's move. We have talked to the EU about its move. We understand their decision. We have not made our own decision," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said at a press briefing.
The EU announced earlier this week that it will send food aid worth 10 million euros, or US$14.5 million, to North Korea, said to be suffering a severe food shortage. The EU's decision follows a June trip by a team to assess the food situation there. The EU said its plan for the food shipment is to save the lives of 650,000 vulnerable residents in the communist nation despite long-stalled denuclearization efforts.
Nuland sidestepped a question on whether the U.S. welcomes the EU's initiative, instead choosing the word "understand."
When asked if the EU's move will affect Washington's consideration of similar assistance, she did not give a direct answer either.
"Obviously, we are in close touch with the EU on these issues as we are in close touch on all of the issues that we work on around the world," she said.
The U.S. sent a separate delegation to the North in late May to verify its claim that it is in urgent need of food.
"We have noted the EU's move. We have talked to the EU about its move. We understand their decision. We have not made our own decision," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said at a press briefing.
The EU announced earlier this week that it will send food aid worth 10 million euros, or US$14.5 million, to North Korea, said to be suffering a severe food shortage. The EU's decision follows a June trip by a team to assess the food situation there. The EU said its plan for the food shipment is to save the lives of 650,000 vulnerable residents in the communist nation despite long-stalled denuclearization efforts.
Nuland sidestepped a question on whether the U.S. welcomes the EU's initiative, instead choosing the word "understand."
When asked if the EU's move will affect Washington's consideration of similar assistance, she did not give a direct answer either.
"Obviously, we are in close touch with the EU on these issues as we are in close touch on all of the issues that we work on around the world," she said.
The U.S. sent a separate delegation to the North in late May to verify its claim that it is in urgent need of food.
