MALAYSIA: U.S. renews calls on Burma and North Korea to engage in talks with internetional community

Record ID: 751859

  • Title: MALAYSIA: U.S. renews calls on Burma and North Korea to engage in talks with internetional community
  • Date: 29th September 2009
  • Summary: KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (SEPTEMBER 28, 2009) (REUTERS) VIEW OF CITY EXTERIOR OF RITZ CARLTON HOTEL UNITED STATE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE, JAMES STEINBERG, ENTERING NEWS CONFERENCE JOURNALISTS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED STATE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE, JAMES STEINBERG, SAYING: "The United States and all the countries in the region are very clear that we do not intend to accept the idea of North Korea as a nuclear power and that there are clear consequences associated with the steps that they have taken. 1874 Security Council Resolution is a very strong set of measures that have clear consequences for North Korea. And I think certainly our hope is that as the leadership there takes a look at the, both the political and the economic consequences associated with this strong international consensus, that they will see the only path forward for North Korea - in term of its security and well being of its people - is to return to the commitments that it previously made to pursue the path of denuclearisation." JOURNALISTS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED STATE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE, JAMES STEINBERG, SAYING "And we are quite appreciative of the fact that China, like all the other countries involved, I think have sent a very clear message to North Korea that there is unanimity among all the countries in the region about the need for them to return to the six-party talks and to resume the path of denuclearisation. I think the fact that they are hearing this message from China as well as the other countries in this region helps reinforce the strong message that we want to have And so I feel optimistic that in all the interactions that North Korea's having now, that they are getting an unmistakable message that they realise that there are no divisions or differences among the countries involved, and we really welcome the very positive and clear message that China has been sending along with South Korea, Japan, Russia and the rest of the international community." JOURNALISTS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED STATE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE, JAMES STEINBERG, SAYING "But we are prepared to have more direct engagement with the government in Burma to try to achieve these goals, and we think that the upcoming elections in 2010 offer an opportunity for the government there to show that it is serious about serious democratic reform, about having an open and fair and legitimate process that includes the NLD and Ang Sung Suu Kyi as part of that process. And we hope as a result of this direct engagement that we will see some changes by the government. We made clear that our goal is not a threatening one to Burma but rather because we are convinced that it is in the interest of Burma and the region for them to move in this direction." STEINBERG AT NEWS CONFERENCE STEINBERG LEAVING JOURNALISTS PACKING UP
  • Embargoed: 14th October 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Malaysia
  • Country: Malaysia
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA8PILZLT1MB1T7NJK0YT1LEP71
  • Story Text: U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg renewed a call to North Korea and Burma on Monday (September 28) to engage in talks with the international community, saying it would be the best thing for their countries and people.
    Steinberg was speaking in Kuala Lumpur during his one day working visit to Malaysia, the second stops of his Asia Tour after Vietnam.
    "The United States and all the countries in the region are very clear that we do not intend to accept the idea of North Korea as a nuclear power and that there are clear consequences associated with the steps that they have taken," Steinberg said, at a news conference after meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.
    Steinberg said the 1874 United Nations Security Council Resolution, condemning North Korea's nuclear test on May 25, was a strong set of measures that have clear consequences for the Pyongyang regime.
    "And I think certainly our hope is that as the leadership there takes a look at the, both the political and the economic consequences associated with this strong international consensus, that they will see the only path forward for North Korea - in term of its security and well being of its people - is to return to the commitments that it previously made to pursue the path of denuclearisation," he added.
    Steinberg said the U.S. was appreciative that China had sent a clear message to North Korea there is a need for the country to return to six-party talks.
    "I think the fact that they are hearing this message from China as well as the other countries in this region helps reinforce the strong message that we want to have And so I feel optimistic that in all the interactions that North Korea's having now, that they are getting an unmistakable message that they realise that there are no divisions or differences among the countries involved, and we really welcome the very positive and clear message that China has been sending along with South Korea, Japan, Russia and the rest of the international community."
    Touching on Burma, Steinberg said the election next year offers an opportunity for the military government to proves its sincerity in democratic reforms.
    "We are prepared to have more direct engagement with the government in Burma to try to achieve these goals, and we think that the upcoming elections in 2010 offer an opportunity for the government there to show that it is serious about serious democratic reform, about having an open and fair and legitimate process that includes the NLD and Ang Sung Suu Kyi as part of that process. And we hope as a result of this direct engagement that we will see some changes by the government. We made clear that our goal is not a threatening one to Burma but rather because we are convinced that it is in the interest of Burma and the region for them to move in this direction," he added.
    Steinberg will also visit China, Korea and Japan to complete his Asian tour.
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