Russia says DPRK should not test missile

Russia said on Friday the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) should abstain from testing a long-range missile and called for dialogue with Pyongyang to resolve the situation.

"We understand that the current situation in the region of North-East Asia is tense, and this is why it would be better if our partners in the DPRK abstained from this, from this launch," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexei Borodavkin told journalists.

Pyongyang has said it will launch a communications satellite between April 4-8, but regional powers believe the real purpose is to test a long-range missile, the Taepodong-2, which is believed to be already in place on its launch pad.

Japan ordered its military on Friday to prepare to intercept any dangerous debris that might fall on its territory if the missile launch goes wrong. He called on troops to mobilize interceptor missiles and has sent two warships to the Sea of Japan.

The DPRK has said any attempt to shoot down the rocket itself would be an act of war.

"We have to calmly assess the situation, to take a clear-eyed view of it, without much agitation," Borodavkin said.

"And all the issues which ... emerge because of this launch must be resolved through dialogue and consultations with all the parties involved," he added.

"We have expressed this position to them and to our other partners, and we continue to adhere to this point of view."

Chinese analysts said in Beijing that Russia's remarks on Friday were symbolic, meaning all other parties to the Six-Party Talks have showed their positions on Pyongyang's predicted launch.

"Russia is less tied up on that issue compared to other regional powers like Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK)," said professor Pang Zhongying with the Renmin University of China. "But Moscow is saying it's in favor of a stable Korean Peninsula," Pang said.

Professor Jin Canrong, Pang's colleague, said Russia is also registering its presence in the Six-Party Talks.

Compared to Russia, Japan has taken a much "stronger" position on that issue, Jin said, adding that "it is reasonable, as Japan has been feeling insecure over the past years".

Both analysts mentioned that Japan's strong statement also appeals to the US to make a clearer statement on the issue. "The US position on this issue has been ambiguous," Jin said, noting that Washington's ambiguity has pushed other regional powers, such as Japan, to take action.

After taking office, US President Barack Obama named Stephen Bosworth, former US ambassador to Seoul, as the White House's special envoy on the issue.

But soon after, media reported Obama had not paid enough attention to the issue, Pang said, noting that it is time for the Obama administration to make a clearer statement and practice diplomacy.

Meanwhile, the ROK's nuclear envoy headed to Washington on Friday for talks with US officials as regional powers scrambled to coordinate a joint strategy for the DPRK's planned rocket launch.

China Daily-AP

(China Daily 03/28/2009 page11)