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MOSCOW - Russia reaffirmed its position on Friday that North Korea had a right to a civilian nuclear program after six-nation talks on the crisis ended with Pyongyang again threatening to conduct nuclear missile tests. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he viewed the latest round of negotiations in China over Washingtonâs nuclear standoff with Pyongyang a success and made no mention of North Koreaâs latest threat.
Russia, with Soviet-era ties to North Korea, has tried to play the role of neutral negotiator in the crisis, although its role has been overshadowed by that of China, the reclusive Stalinist stateâs major trade partner. âWe believe that North Korea has the right to a civilian nuclear programâ once UN nuclear inspectors return to the country, Lavrov told reporters during a meeting with the visiting foreign minister of Argentina.
Moscow had initially held out little hope that the third round of negotiations in Beijing that ended Friday would achieve any concrete results, and Lavrov said the talks only proved that such meetings should continue. âThe results of the third round of the six-way talks prove that this format is imperative if we want the Korean problem can be resolved,â Lavrov said. âWe must continue to patiently work in this format.â |