US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Asia's biggest security community today to keep the pressure on North Korea to end its nuclear programme and enforce UN sanctions against the reclusive state.
Reining in North Korea's nuclear programme, counter-terrorism co-operation and maritime security took centre stage at Asia's premier annual security gathering, the ASEAN Regional Forum.
Myanmar was also in the spotlight after Mrs Clinton yesterday said Washington was concerned about the possible transfer of nuclear technology from North Korea to the military junta.
Mrs Clinton said she was was pleased by Myanmar's willingness to carry out UN sanctions on North Korea but said better ties hinged on its treatment of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The former first lady said this week she was worried about possible nuclear transfers from North Korea to Myanmar but praised the Myanmar junta for moving to enforce a UN Security Council resolution against Pyongyang after its May 25th nuclear test.
"We are gratified by Burma's willingness to enforce the Security Council resolution to curb North Korea's nuclear ambitions," Clinton said in remarks at the ASEAN Regional Forum security gathering on the Thai resort island of Phuket.
"This is an important step in playing a more constructive role in regional affairs."
"The United States will continue to work through every avenue to persuade North Korea to eliminate its nuclear program and normalise relations with the world," Mrs Clinton said in a speech planned for delivery at the meeting.
"The ASEAN Regional Forum [ARF] can play an important role in achieving this outcome and for continuing to work vigorously to implement Resolution 1874. That means denying North Korean vessels access to any trans-shipment points and cooperating with the enforcement of financial sanctions against those designated entities that support North Korea's efforts to acquire nuclear weapons."
The ARF meeting has brought together foreign ministers and senior officials from across Asia, Europe and the United States.
North Korea, condemned for recent nuclear and ballistic missile tests, sent low-ranking officials to Phuket. The head of the North's delegation, ambassador-at-large Pak Kun-gwang, has made little comment but told his Thai hosts this week he did not want Pyongyang to be a punchbag at the security talks.
Mrs Clinton also planned to deliver a separate statement giving Pyongyang a choice between more sanctions if it refuses to end its nuclear activities and an array of benefits if it does.
"Full normalisation of relations, a permanent peace regime, and significant energy and economic assistance are all possible in the context of full and verifiable denuclearisation," Mrs Clinton will say, according to prepared excerpts of her statement.
In one indication of how sanctions have begun to bite North Korea, the Financial Timesreported today that Italy has blocked the sale of two luxury yachts to North korea believed to be destined for leader Kim Jong-il.
Reuters