ID :
207458
Thu, 09/15/2011 - 23:00
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/207458
The shortlink copeid
U.S. concerned about impact from N. Korea-Russia military ties
WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 (Yonhap) -- The United States on Thursday expressed thinly veiled concern about closer military ties between North Korea and Russia, saying it should not "distract" from efforts to denuclearize the communist Asian nation.
"Any engagement with the North Koreans should be conducted in a way that does not detract from the international community's clear message of concern about the North???s weapons programs, and the necessity for Pyongyang to do what is necessary to return to the Six-Party talks," the State Department said in a press release.
It was responding to reports that North Korea and Russia have agreed to hold joint naval exercises next year, an apparent result of summit talks between the North's leader, Kim Jong-il, and President Dmitry Medvedev in August.
The department said it is aware of the reports but refused to give more details on its position.
"We refer you to the Russian government for details of what those exercises might entail," it said.
"Any engagement with the North Koreans should be conducted in a way that does not detract from the international community's clear message of concern about the North???s weapons programs, and the necessity for Pyongyang to do what is necessary to return to the Six-Party talks," the State Department said in a press release.
It was responding to reports that North Korea and Russia have agreed to hold joint naval exercises next year, an apparent result of summit talks between the North's leader, Kim Jong-il, and President Dmitry Medvedev in August.
The department said it is aware of the reports but refused to give more details on its position.
"We refer you to the Russian government for details of what those exercises might entail," it said.
