G8 hits N Korea tests, backs Russia atomic plan

St Peterburg (Russia), July 17: The Group of Eight industrial nations condemned North Korea's recent missile tests and endorsed a Russian plan to create international atomic fuel centres to prevent countries from developing nuclear bombs.

The strongest language in the group's ''Statement on Non-Proliferation'', approved late yesterday by the leaders of Russia, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan, was directed at North Korea.

''We condemn the launching ... of multiple ballistic missiles on July 5 ... and express serious concerns as this jeopardises peace, stability and security in the region and beyond,'' said the G8 statement, issued at a summit in St Petersburg, Russia.

''These missile launches intensify our deep concern over (North Korea's) nuclear weapons programmes.'' The group also welcomed a UN Security Council resolution imposing arms sanctions on Pyongyang adopted over the weekend.

In somewhat softer language, the G8 also expressed ''serious concern'' about Iran, which has refused Western demands to suspend its uranium enrichment programme. Enrichment purifies uranium for use in atomic power stations or weapons.

Tehran says its nuclear programme is aimed solely at peaceful power generation, but the United States and its allies suspect it is aiming to construct a nuclear weapon.

The G8 endorsed last week's decision by six world powers -- Germany, the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia -- to return Iran's nuclear file to the Security Council.

Russian Enrichment Centres

The group declared full support for the right of all countries to a peaceful nuclear energy programme, but said states should not pursue independent enrichment and fuel reprocessing programmes.

It strongly endorsed Moscow's plan to set up nuclear fuel centres in Russia under UN supervision so countries like Iran would be guaranteed access to fuel for power plants and would have no need for national enrichment programmes.

It also backed a US proposal to set up an international fuel bank, also to be overseen by the UN nuclear watchdog.

''This emphasis complements, in a very positive way, the agreement to return the Iran issue to the Security Council,'' said Mark Fitzpatrick, a former US State Department official now with the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.

''The emphasis on (nuclear) fuel cycle services is a natural way for Russia to draw on its strengths in contributing to non-proliferation goals.'' The statement repeated a call from previous summits not to allow countries that do not have enrichment programmes to join the select club of enriching nations -- wording G8 diplomats said would not be endorsed at next year's summit.

''Canada in particular doesn't like this and wants it out next year,'' a G8 diplomat said. He added that Canada, which is the world's no. 1 supplier of raw uranium, almost certainly planned to become an enriching nation in the future.

The G8 gave tacit approval to a much-criticised US-India nuclear accord, in a boost for a deal yet to be approved by the US Congress.

''We look forward to reinforcing our partnership with India (and) note the commitments India has made,'' the G8 said, adding that future nuclear cooperation with India could be possible if New Delhi took further steps on non-proliferation.

Fitzpatrick said this ''isn't what Washington would have wanted, but the nod about nuclear cooperation is good enough.'' The deal would give India, a nuclear power, access to civilian US atomic technology.

Reuters