Bush welcomes nuclear deal with DPRK

US President George W. Bush said on Monday that it is a "positive step" for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to pledge to give up its nuclear weapons program and meanwhile demanded firm verification measures to make sure the DPRK to live up to its commitment.

"It was a positive step yesterday. It was a step forward in making this world a more secure place. And I want to thank our other partners in the six-party dialogue by working together," Bush said in the White House.

However, Bush said: "The question is, over time, will all parties adhere to the agreement?"

"And what we have said is, great, that's a wonderful step forward, but now we've got to verify whether or not that happens," he added.

The fourth round of six-party talks on the DPRK nuclear issue concluded in Beijing on Monday with the adoption of a common statement, in which the DPRK says it is committed to abandoning all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs.

The common statement also declared that the DPRK has the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, while other parties have expressed their respect and agreed to discuss, at an appropriate time, the subject of the provision of lightwater reactor to the DPRK.

The fifth round of six-party talks, which involves the DPRK, the United States, China, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan, is to be held in Beijing in early November.

Source: Xinhua