IAEA approves atom disarmament mission in NKorea

Vienna, July 9: The UN nuclear watchdog's governing body today authorised the dispatch of monitors to North Korea to verify a promised shutdown of its atom bomb programme, diplomats said.

The new International Atomic Energy Agency mission, 4-1/2 years after North Korea expelled UN inspectors, would start once Pyongyang has received the first batch of fuel oil, anticipated later this week, pledged as part of its February disarmament accord with five powers.

US and Russian officials have said the six parties could reconvene this week to plot further steps. A major holdup in implementing the Feb 13 disarmament accord was resolved in late June when North Korea recovered million in frozen bank funds.

REUTERS

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