Secretary of State John Kerry says North Korea’s nuclear missile program is dangerous, and the world is united in trying to stop it. He also said the US is open to credible negotiations. (April 15)
SOURCE: AP TELEVISION – AP CLIENTS ONLY
Tokyo – 15 April, 2013
SHOTLIST:
2. SOUNDBITE: (English) John Kerry, US Secretary of State:
“One thing is certain, we are united. There can be no confusion on this point. The North’s dangerous nuclear missile programme threatens not only North Korea’s neighbours, but it threatens its own people, and it threatens this concept of a Pacific dream. The United States remains open to authentic and credible negotiations on denuclearisation but the burden is on Pyongyang.”
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4. SOUNDBITE: (English) John Kerry, US Secretary of State:
“The world does not need more potential for war and so we will stand together and we welcome China’s strong statement of its commitment two days ago, to the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.”
STORYLINE:
US Secretary of State John Kerry told students in Tokyo on Monday that America remains open to the idea of “authentic and credible negotiations” with North Korea on denuclearisation.”
He said the burden, however, was on Pyongyang.
Speaking at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kerry explained that it is important for the international community to remain united on the North Korean issue.
He also praised China for its “strong statement of its commitment two days ago, to the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.”
Perhaps hinting at recent antagonisms over disputed islands in the Sea of Japan, Kerry also said that it was time “to put long festering territorial pursuits behind us.”
“The stakes are far too high and the global economy is far too fragile for anyone to allow these inherited problems to divide the region and to enflame it,” he said.
Tensions have run high on the Korean Peninsula for months.
Pyongyang has issued almost daily threats that have included possible nuclear strikes against the United States.
Analysts and foreign officials say that is still beyond the North Koreans’ capability.
While many threats have been dismissed as bluster, US and South Korean say they believe the North in the coming days may test a mid-range missile designed to reach as far as Guam, the US territory in the Pacific where the Pentagon is deploying a land-based missile-defence system.
Japan is the last stop on a 10-day overseas trip for Kerry, who visited Seoul and Beijing as well in recent days.
In South Korea, he strongly warned North Korea not to launch a missile and he reaffirmed US defence of its allies in the region.
In China, he secured a public pledge from Beijing, the lone government with significant influence over North Korea, to rid the North of nuclear weapons.
After his speech to students in Tokyo, Kerry was scheduled to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
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