NAC STATEMENT ON DPRK MISSILE LAUNCHES

UNCLAS USNATO 000418

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: NATO PREL MCAP NK

SUBJECT: NAC STATEMENT ON DPRK MISSILE LAUNCHES


1. The North Atlantic Council on July 5 discussed North
Korea's multiple launches of ballistic missiles and agreed to
issue the statement below on behalf of the 26 nations. NATO
Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer plans also to meet
with the press.

2. Begin NAC Statement:
NATO North Atlantic Council Statement on the DPRK
On July 5, the North Atlantic Council met in Brussels to
express the Alliance,s grave concern over North Korea's
launch of a Taepodong-2 and other missiles. North Korea's
development, deployment, and proliferation of ballistic
UNCLASSIFIED 2 of 2
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missiles, missile-related materials, equipment, and
technology pose a serious threat to the region and the
international community at large. We regret and condemn this
launch. This action will only further isolate North Korea
from the international community and harm the interests of
its people.
North Korea's missile programs and provocative actions
necessitate a firm response from the international community,
and we will support the international community,s efforts to
address this matter broadly, including at the UN Security
Council.
We call on the DPRK to cease immediately the development of
long-range missiles, to reconfirm its moratorium on all
long-range missile launches, to abide by the guidelines of
the Missile Technology Control Regime, and to subscribe to
the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile
Proliferation.
We urge the DPRK to immediately return to the Six-Party Talks
without precondition, to work toward the expeditious
implementation of the September 19, 2005 Joint Statement, and
to completely and verifiably eliminate its nuclear weapons
and related programs.
End text.
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