"Russia should soon send a group of inspectors to North Korea to take control of all the nuclear materials of Russian origin disposed of by this country and develop recommendations as for their further destiny. All the materials that can be used to produce weapons of mass destruction should be taken out of North Korea," said Deputy Head of the YABLOKO party, deputy of the State Duma Sergei Mitrokhin.

"Withdrawal of Kim Chon Il's regime from the nuclear disarmament treaty and the prospects of the creation in North Korea of their own weapons of mass destruction poses a threat to the stability of Russia' borders in the Far East," noted Mitrokhin.

"It is obvious that Russia's cooperation with the North Korea in nuclear energy should be frozen until this country's fully adheres to the non-proliferation regime. Without fulfilling this condition, any declarations by Russian bureaucrats on the possibility of continuing such cooperation between the two countries are unlawful and contradict international agreements signed by Russia," said Mitrokhin.

"The declaration of the Minister for Nuclear Power Rumyantsev that North Korea could create nuclear weapons in 50 years time is especially significant. The nuclear power ministry should render to the public in Russia and in the world the information serving as the basis for this conclusion. If there really is a threat that a new nuclear power could emerge on Russia's Eastern borders, the authorities should use all the resources at their disposal to prevent such developments, " he noted.

See also:
YABLOKO Against Nuclear Waste Imports