North Korean nuclear arms test threatens security in OSCE area, Chairman warns

BRUSSELS, 9 October 2006 - The OSCE Chairman, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, said today he was deeply concerned about global security following the nuclear weapons test declared by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"I condemn this provocative act, which is a serious threat to regional and global stability," the Chairman-in-Office said. "North Korea should immediately abandon its nuclear weapons programme and avoid any actions that would further heighten tension."

Minister De Gucht also called on North Korea to return to the six-party talks, the aim of which is to persuade the country to abandon developing nuclear weapons. Those talks involve two OSCE participating States, the United States and Russia, and two OSCE Partners for Co-operation, South Korea and Japan.

"The 56-state OSCE, as part of the international community, is ready to contribute to a unified, strong response to this aggressive move," the Chairman said. "We must demonstrate that provocations of this kind will not be accepted. Our Organization directly borders North Korea, as Russia is a participating State."

The Minister also spoke out against reactions that could trigger an arms race in the region.

"Co-operation and dialogue, not nuclear deterrence or larger militaries, lead to global security," he said.