HC Deb 14 December 1998 vol 322 cc403-4W
Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether North Korea is meeting its obligations under the non-proliferation agreement. [63816]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

North Korea's Framework Agreement with the US commits it to freezing its Nuclear Reactor programme, and to allowing IAEA to inspect its nuclear waste sites. But we remain concerned that the IAEA is still not receiving full co-operation from North Korea. North Korea's decision in October to allow the IAEA to restart canning operations at a frozen reactor was a positive step. But it is essential that North Korea implements the IAEA Safeguards Agreement at the earliest possible opportunity, in order to give the international community confidence that it is complying in full.

We have consistently supported the IAEA in its dealings with North Korea, and supported a strongly worded resolution on this issue at IAEA General Conference in October.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held over the past two months with Madeline Albright on North Korea's nuclear programme; and if he will make a statement. [63817]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no substantive discussions with Madeline Albright on North Korea's nuclear programme over the past two months.

Nuclear issues were raised at the EU Troika meeting on 2 December, and at bilateral talks with North Korea on 3 December.