Russia warns against inflaming passions on N Korea nuke problem

Moscow, Dec 16 (UNI) Russia today warned against any abrupt move or deviation from the main issue in the North Korean nuclear standoff that could stymie the six-nation talks, scheduled to resume on Monday.

''I would urge the parties concerned not to inflame passions,'' Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the Russian state TV channel.

''All those interested to resolve the central problem - the nuclear problem on the Korean Peninsula - should focus their efforts on it, not pursue some other agendas,'' Mr Lavrov said.

The six-party talks, including the two Koreas, Russia, China, the US and Japan, were launched in 2003 to persuade Pyongyang to give up its controversial nuclear programme after it withdrew from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Meanwhile, the head of the State Duma (lower house) Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev voiced skepticism yesterday saying the round of talks due to be held in Beijing may not take place.

''North Korea has repeatedly reneged on previous agreements at the last moment,'' Mr Kosachev said adding, ''In this context, bilateral contacts between North Korean and US delegations alongside multilateral consultations in the six-nation format are of key importance.'' He stressed the direct US-North Korean contacts should aim to ''separate two issues - the North Korean nuclear problem and the political evaluation of the North Korean regime.'' ''As long as the US links these two issues, we have an effect that is the opposite of that which the international community is counting on,'' he added.

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