Thai FM to discuss North Korean missile tests with Rice

Bangkok, July 5 (UNI) Expressing concern that the North Korean missile tests, would create regional instability, Thailand today urged Pyongyang to return to the six-nation talks and said it would raise the issue with the US next week.

Kantathi Suphamongkhon, Foreign Minister in the caretaker Thai government, said he would discuss the issue with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during his visit to the United State from July 8-11.

''As a regional member, Thailand is extremely concerned with the latest situation in the Korean Peninsula,'' the Thai Foreign Affairs Minister said in a statement.

''All parties should exercise restraint and return to the Six Party Talks in order to resolve the nuclear issue in the Korean Peninsula as soon as possible. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea should abide by the principles of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safeguards,'' the statement added.

Mr Kantathi said Bangkok was ready to play a role in supporting multilateral moves towards stability in the Korean peninsula.

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