US to wait and see on North Korea nuke deal
(AP)
Updated: 2005-09-20 08:46

"We have to at every stage test the dedication or the commitment of the North Koreans to indeed carry through with the obligation that they have now taken," Rice told reporters.

The Beijing agreement says North Korea and the United States will "respect each other's sovereignty, exist peacefully together and take steps to normalize their relations."

It says North Korea stated that it has a right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

"The other parties expressed their respect and agreed to discuss at an appropriate time the subject of the provision of light-water reactor," the statement said.

(L-R) United States Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, Japanese delegation leader Kenichiro Sasae, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Song Min-soon, North Korea's chief negotiator Kim Gye Gwan and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alexeyev join hands at the close of six-party talks over North Korea's nuclear program at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing, September 19, 2005.[AFP]

In Beijing, the lead U.S. negotiator, Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, called the agreement a "win-win situation."

Rice brushed aside questions about whether the Bush administration is reversing course by allowing even the mention of a possible civilian nuclear power plant.

"This issue about peaceful nuclear uses is down the road, and I think if you read the document you will see that what is agreed to here is that at an appropriate time we are prepared to discuss — discuss — a light-water reactor," Rice said.

If the Beijing agreement bears fruit, North Korea will follow Libya as a triumph of international nuclear disarmament.

Libya renounced weapons of mass destruction in December 2003 and provided information about international nuclear suppliers.

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