IAEA Director General Warns North Korea

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Mohamed ElBaradei has warned North Korea that blackmail is not the best form of politics. When speaking at a Moscow press conference on Thursday, ElBaradei pointed to the "escalation of the crisis" on the Korean peninsula brought about by North Korea's withdrawal from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. ElBaradei said that Pyongyang had to understand that its decision had far-reaching consequences for international security.

According to the IAEA head, North Korea expects to receive assurances and the continuation of humanitarian aid. At the same time, he said that Pyongyang had to understand that "blackmail is not the best way to achieve political goals." ElBaradei said that North Korea should fulfil its international obligations, adding that Pyongyang's threats would not bring about the desired effect.

ElBardei also expressed his hope that North Korea would rejoin the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.