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<title>GRAHAM CALLS ON DPRK TO RESUME FREEZE OF ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAM</title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>December 23, 2002 <em>(3:00 p.m. EST)</em> No. 180</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>GRAHAM CALLS ON DPRK TO RESUME FREEZE OF ITS </strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>NUCLEAR PROGRAM</strong></font></p>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today expressed great concern about recent events in the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (DPRK) and called on its leaders to resume the freeze of its nuclear program.</p>
<p>"I fully share the profound concern voiced by the United States, Japan, South Korea, and other countries about the DPRK's
nuclear activities," said Mr. Graham. "These developments are a very serious threat to regional and international peace and
security and to the stability of the Korean Peninsula. They are a grave challenge to the nuclear non-proliferation regime and
a flagrant violation of the DPRK's international obligations." </p>
<p>The obligations involved include: the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; the DPRK's comprehensive safeguards agreement
with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which allows the Agency to monitor the DPRK's nuclear facilities;
the 1994 USA-DPRK Agreed Framework, which imposed a freeze on the DPRK's nuclear program; and the 1992 South-North Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. </p>
<p>Minister Graham noted that Canada fully supported the November 29 consensus resolution of the IAEA on the DPRK's
nuclear enrichment program and greatly appreciated the Agency's ongoing efforts to bring the DPRK into full compliance
with its comprehensive safeguards agreement. Canada supports a peaceful solution, including all efforts to promote the
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. </p>
<p>"The DPRK's rejection of the IAEA resolution and its unilateral removal of seals and safeguard measures on its frozen
facilities are a cause of great concern," the Minister said. "I strongly urge the DPRK to immediately dismantle its uranium
enrichment program and cease any other nuclear weapon development activities in a transparent and verifiable manner." </p>
<p>The Minister added that full compliance by the DPRK with all of its international obligations is an essential requirement for
its greater involvement in the world community and for the security and welfare of its people. Minister Graham called on
the DPRK to exercise restraint and to refrain from any further action that would heighten tensions. </p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Isabelle Savard</p>
<p>Director of Communications</p>
<p>Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</p>
<p>(613) 995-1851</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221124617/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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