ID :
12010
Thu, 07/10/2008 - 10:43
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/12010
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G-8 voices concern over Iran, North Korea nuclear issues
Toyako (Japan), Jul 10 (PTI) The leaders of G-8 countries Wednesday voiced "serious concern" over Iran's nuclear programme, asked North Korea to abandon its atomic weapons and sought the immediate release of Myanmar's political detainees,including Aung San Suu Kyi.
"We express serious concern over Iran's failure to complywith its international obligations under successive U.N.
Security Council resolutions, in particular to suspend allenrichment-related activities," the G-8 Chair's Summary said.
"We remain committed to a diplomatic solution to the issue through the dual track approach." The meeting backed the efforts of China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States as well asthe high-level dialogue by the Presidency with Iran.
"We call on Iran to respond to the updated incentives package in a constructive manner. We also urge Iran to act in a more responsible and constructive manner in the region, particularly in the context of the Middle East Peace Processand the stability of Iraq and Afghanistan," it said.
On North Korea's nuclear programme, the statement reaffirmed the group's commitment to achieving the verifiabledenuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.
"We urge Democratic People's Republic of Korea... to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes as well as ballistic missile programmes and return to full compliance with its N.P.T. obligations." The leaders expressed their support for the six-party talks among North Korea, South Korea, the U.S., China,Japan and Russia to resolve the issue.
The G-8 leaders underlined the need of verifying North Korea's recent declaration and sought an early agreement onthe principles/regime of verifying the declaration.
The meeting urged North Korea to "fully cooperate in the verification, as well as to swiftly disable all existing nuclear facilities." On the situation in Myanmar, the G-8 leaders expressedconcern about the current political situation in the country.
"We call on Myanmar to foster a peaceful transition to a legitimate, democratic, civilian government. We encourage the authorities of Myanmar to engage all stakeholders in aninclusive and transparent political process.
"In this context, we call on Myanmar to immediately release political detainees including Aung San Suu Kyi," the statement said while backing the efforts of the U.N. SecretaryGeneral's good offices mission.
The meeting urged Myanmar to cooperate fully with U.N.'sSpecial Adviser Ibrahim Gambari.
"We are prepared to respond positively to substantivepolitical progress undertaken by Myanmar," the statement said.
The leaders also appealed to the authorities to lift all remaining restrictions on international aid and to improve the transparency of the incoming aid to the cyclone-affectedareas in Myanmar.
On Afghanistan, the G-8 leaders renewed their commitment to the war-torn nation and "strongly encouraged" the Afghan government to assume greater responsibility forsecurity, governance and reconstruction.
"We agreed to strengthen our assistance to the border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan as an integral part ofour strategy to combat terrorism," the statement said.
On the Middle East situation, the statement expressed the group's full support for the Israeli-Palestinian negotiationswith a view to reaching an agreement by the end of 2008.
"We call on all parties to refrain from any action that would undermine the negotiations and to implement their Road Map obligations, such as freezing all settlement activities and ending all acts of violence, terrorism and incitement." The G-8 leaders welcomed the truce in Gaza that came intoeffect recently and called for its observance.
"We remain committed to continuing to provide assistance to the Palestinians and helping to strengthen the Palestinian institutions. We look forward to a comprehensive peace betweenIsrael and its neighbours," the statement said.
On the question of Sudan, the G-8 leaders expressed their deep concern about the deteriorating security and humanitarianand human rights situation in the country.
With regard to Darfur, the leaders urged all parties concerned to abide by their obligations under the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions or face further action bythe top organ of the world body.
On Zimbabwe, the G-8 issued a separate statement,expressing concern over the situation in the African nation.
Regarding the situation in Nigeria, the meeting shared the concern of Lagos about the violence in the Deltaregion of Nigeria.
"We will support the Nigerian government's efforts to improve the security situation and prospects for development," it said. PTI AKJ
"We express serious concern over Iran's failure to complywith its international obligations under successive U.N.
Security Council resolutions, in particular to suspend allenrichment-related activities," the G-8 Chair's Summary said.
"We remain committed to a diplomatic solution to the issue through the dual track approach." The meeting backed the efforts of China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States as well asthe high-level dialogue by the Presidency with Iran.
"We call on Iran to respond to the updated incentives package in a constructive manner. We also urge Iran to act in a more responsible and constructive manner in the region, particularly in the context of the Middle East Peace Processand the stability of Iraq and Afghanistan," it said.
On North Korea's nuclear programme, the statement reaffirmed the group's commitment to achieving the verifiabledenuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.
"We urge Democratic People's Republic of Korea... to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes as well as ballistic missile programmes and return to full compliance with its N.P.T. obligations." The leaders expressed their support for the six-party talks among North Korea, South Korea, the U.S., China,Japan and Russia to resolve the issue.
The G-8 leaders underlined the need of verifying North Korea's recent declaration and sought an early agreement onthe principles/regime of verifying the declaration.
The meeting urged North Korea to "fully cooperate in the verification, as well as to swiftly disable all existing nuclear facilities." On the situation in Myanmar, the G-8 leaders expressedconcern about the current political situation in the country.
"We call on Myanmar to foster a peaceful transition to a legitimate, democratic, civilian government. We encourage the authorities of Myanmar to engage all stakeholders in aninclusive and transparent political process.
"In this context, we call on Myanmar to immediately release political detainees including Aung San Suu Kyi," the statement said while backing the efforts of the U.N. SecretaryGeneral's good offices mission.
The meeting urged Myanmar to cooperate fully with U.N.'sSpecial Adviser Ibrahim Gambari.
"We are prepared to respond positively to substantivepolitical progress undertaken by Myanmar," the statement said.
The leaders also appealed to the authorities to lift all remaining restrictions on international aid and to improve the transparency of the incoming aid to the cyclone-affectedareas in Myanmar.
On Afghanistan, the G-8 leaders renewed their commitment to the war-torn nation and "strongly encouraged" the Afghan government to assume greater responsibility forsecurity, governance and reconstruction.
"We agreed to strengthen our assistance to the border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan as an integral part ofour strategy to combat terrorism," the statement said.
On the Middle East situation, the statement expressed the group's full support for the Israeli-Palestinian negotiationswith a view to reaching an agreement by the end of 2008.
"We call on all parties to refrain from any action that would undermine the negotiations and to implement their Road Map obligations, such as freezing all settlement activities and ending all acts of violence, terrorism and incitement." The G-8 leaders welcomed the truce in Gaza that came intoeffect recently and called for its observance.
"We remain committed to continuing to provide assistance to the Palestinians and helping to strengthen the Palestinian institutions. We look forward to a comprehensive peace betweenIsrael and its neighbours," the statement said.
On the question of Sudan, the G-8 leaders expressed their deep concern about the deteriorating security and humanitarianand human rights situation in the country.
With regard to Darfur, the leaders urged all parties concerned to abide by their obligations under the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions or face further action bythe top organ of the world body.
On Zimbabwe, the G-8 issued a separate statement,expressing concern over the situation in the African nation.
Regarding the situation in Nigeria, the meeting shared the concern of Lagos about the violence in the Deltaregion of Nigeria.
"We will support the Nigerian government's efforts to improve the security situation and prospects for development," it said. PTI AKJ
