MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce that the Australian
Government will contribute a further A$2 million in support of international
efforts to reduce the risk of nuclear proliferation on the Korean
Peninsula.
The funds will support the Korean Peninsula Energy
Development Organization (KEDO), an international consortium led by the United
States, the Republic of Korea and Japan.
The Government regards the Korean Peninsula as a
potential major security flashpoint and views KEDO as making a valuable
contribution to maintaining stability on the Peninsula and in North East Asia
more generally.
KEDO has particular importance as the only mechanism
in existence involving genuine cooperation between the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the rest of the international community, including
the Republic of Korea. For this reason it plays an important preventative
diplomacy and confidence-building role.
Support for KEDO,which was established under the
terms of the Agreed Framework signed by the United States and the DPRK in
October 1994, is also consistent with Australia's strong commitment to global
nuclear non-proliferation.
In return for a commitment from the DPRK to freeze
its nuclear weapons program under the supervision of the International Atomic
Energy Agency, KEDO is helping the DPRK meet its energy needs by providing two
lightwater reactors and 500,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil annually until the
reactors are operational.
The Australian Government's contribution will assist
in the provision of heavy fuel oil used for electricity generation and heating.
Australia has previously provided $10.8 million to the KEDO heavy fuel oil
program since June 1995.
Media Contacts: Innes Willox (Minister's
Office) (02) 2777 500. Keith Scott (AusAID) (02) 6206
4971