#4 - RW 266
Moscow Warns About Possible Nuclear Conflict on Korean Peninsula

MOSCOW. July 23 (Interfax) - Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov has warned about a possible nuclear conflict on the Korean Peninsular. Although "we are not on the brink of war, there is a hypothetical possibility of a conflict. The situation has been deteriorating since October (2002), but no serious efforts have been made to reverse the process," Losyukov told Vremya Novostei newspaper in an interview published on Wednesday. The North Koreans "have said they extracted plutonium from the nuclear rods and will be making nuclear arms because they do not see any other means to ensure their security," he said. "If North Korea possesses some sort of nuclear device, it can use it if a conflict breaks out," he said. "The consequences of a nuclear blast, even if it goes off on North Korean territory, could be detrimental for both the South and the North and, of course, for neighboring countries, including Russia," he said. "Talks ought to be launched immediately, because the situation is gradually sliding towards a conflict," he said. However, "a serious discussion has not taken place," he said. "The main obstacles are North Korea's rejection of a multisided format and the United States' refusal to conduct a dialogue with Pyongyang," he said. "The Koreans want to clarify relations with the United States first, and then work in a multisided format. The United States refers to the international nature of the problem and is only ready for a multisided format. It would be easier for Washington to talk to Pyongyang when an element of international pressure is evident," he said.

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