Russia 111201 Basic Political Developments

Basic Political Developments

RT News line, December 1

Moscow urges N. Korea to declare moratorium on nuclear activities

http://www.rbcnews.com/free/20111201121731.shtml

      RBC, 01.12.2011, Moscow 12:17:31.Russia's Foreign Ministry has called on North Korea to impose a moratorium on all nuclear projects, including uranium enrichment, and to provide specialists from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to its nuclear facilities, the ministry said in a statement.

      North Korea's resolve to develop nuclear programs, construct a light-water reactor and ramp up nuclear fuel enrichment raises serious misgivings, the ministry noted, adding that Russia has never challenged the country's right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, but opposes violations by North Korea of its non-proliferation commitments.

      Introducing a moratorium and inviting IAEA specialists would be an important step toward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the Foreign Ministry went on to say.

GOOGLE TRANSLATION

http://www.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/0/5E024A37BC303B984425795900247088

Commentary and Information Department of the Foreign Ministry of Russia on the statement the DPRK Foreign Ministry on uranium enrichment program


1895-01-12-2011
We have noted the statement of the North Korean side on the ongoing construction of the full rate of light-water reactor (LWR) to North Korea and increased production of low-enriched uranium as fuel for the LWR. In this connection we would like to note the following.
Consistent implementation of the uranium program in the DPRK can not but cause serious concern. We never questioned North Korea's sovereign right to develop peaceful nuclear energy. But we can not agree that this right is exercised outside the generally accepted non-proliferation regimes, contrary to the provisions of relevant Security Council resolutions.
We encourage our North Korean partners to heed the views of the world community as expressed in Resolutions 1718 and 1874, to begin the practical movement to return to the NPT and IAEA safeguards, as a first step - a moratorium on all nuclear activities, including uranium enrichment, and to invite IAEA experts examine uranoobogatitelny object in the nuclear center in Yongbyon. Thus will create favorable conditions for restarting the six-party talks on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, peace and stability in Northeast Asia.
December 1, 2011

CORRECTED GOOGLE TRANSLATION

http://www.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/0/95E826AC88A3FF8C442579590023070C
PRESS RELEASE
On consultations of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Ryabkov in Israel
1894-01-12-2011
November 29-30 in Jerusalem, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Ryabkov met the with Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and President of Israel's National Security Y. Amidror. Ryabkov also held consultations on strategic stability, with the Deputy Director General of Israeli Foreign Minister J.Issaharov.
Issues of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, arms control, as well as topical issues of regional and international agenda.
December 1, 2011
03:25 01/12/2011ALL NEWS

Churkin supersedes Cabrala as UN SC Chairman

http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c154/285916.html

UN, December 1 (Itar-Tass) —— Russia will chair in December the UN Security Council.

Russia’s permanent representative at the UN Vitaly Churkin will supersede Jose Cabrala.

The new chairman will have bilateral meetings with his colleagues at the Security Council to work out a plan for the month. Later on the plan should be approved officially by members of the UN Security Council, and then, on Friday, December 2, Churkin will have a briefing for reports accredited at the UN to announce plans for December.

However, even now already it is possible to say that the Security Council will focus on the situation in the Middle East. The Council will continue consultation on Palestine’s membership in the UN. The organisation is still considering Palestine’s application of September 23. The Security Council’s committee on new members has not made any recommendations on the issue. The committee’s report of November 11 only presents different views from permanent representatives and experts.

Moscow “has always followed the approach, where it is a decision to be taken by the Palestinian side,” Churkin said. “If the Palestinian side states it would like this issue to be voted at the UN SC, Palestinians deserve that the UN SC accepted their application and organised voting. This would be correct and honest, no matter what the voting will bring. As for Russia, it will follow desire on the issue of the Palestinian delegation.”

The UN Security Council unites 15 members, where five are permanent – the United Kingdom, the USA, China, Russia and France.