The United States said Tuesday that it is not removing the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) from the terror list for now as there needs a strong "verification regime" of its nuclear programs.
"Our requirement for moving forward on delisting is a rigorous verification regime and a verification protocol, and until we get there I think we've been clear that delisting can't go forward," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said.
"But communication between the parties is very positive and important towards making continued progress in the six-party talks and getting to our ultimate aim there," Fratto said.
Monday was the earliest date that the United State could take the DPRK off the list of state sponsors of terrorism after the DPRK submitted its nuclear declaration in June and blew up the cooling tower as the first step to dismantle its nuclear programs and facilities.
However, the United States did not do so on Monday, citing the lack of a verification regime concerning the nuclear programs of the DPRK.
Under an agreement reached at the six-party talks in Beijing in February last year, the DPRK agreed to abandon all nuclear weapons and programs and declare all its nuclear programs and facilities by the end of 2007, in exchange for diplomatic and economic incentives.
Source: Xinhua
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