By Lee Jin-woo
Staff Reporter
A U.S. expert has said North Korea is unlikely to implement the second phase of the landmark Feb. 13 agreement signed in nuclear disarmament talks in Beijing during President George W. Bush's term.
``They will implement the first phase of the agreement (but given all the problems) I don't think the second phase is likely to make much progress, at least during this administration,'' Gary Samore, a non-proliferation expert and vice president of the Council on Foreign Relations, said in an interview with Reuters.
North Korea has perplexed five other member countries of the six-party talks _ the United States, South Korea, Japan, Russia and China _ by passing the first 60-day deadline without implementing the first phase of the Feb. 13 accord.
Under the deal, Pyongyang was supposed to shut down and seal its primary nuclear facilities in Yongbyon and allow IAEA inspectors back into the reclusive state in return for energy aid and other humanitarian programs within 60 days.
In the next phase, Pyongyang is required to give a complete inventory of its nuclear facilities and weapons, and eventually dismantle the entire program.
Samore said he is positive that the first phase will be implemented, although it has been delayed due to the North's frozen funds at a Macau bank.
``It's tricky but I think some way forward will be found because everybody has such an interest in getting this issue stabilized,'' he said.
The North has refused to shut down its Yongbyon nuclear complex, insisting that it first receive $25 million in once-frozen accounts at the Banco Delta Asia (BDA).
The U.S. State Department has been trying to persuade international and U.S. banks, including Wachovia Corp., to facilitate a transfer of the money to the North. Whether other options are being actively discussed is unknown, Reuters reported.
Because the U.S. Treasury Department blacklisted the BDA on grounds that it is tainted by Pyongyang's counterfeiting and other illicit activities, reputable institutions have been reluctant to risk handling the funds.