Asia Pacific

IAEA inspectors leave DPR of Korea

31 December 2002
Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) left the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) today while the Agency's governing board prepared to take up the issue next week.

Disarmament in northern Afghanistan yields nearly 200 weapons, UN mission says

30 December 2002
Nearly 200 weapons have been collected since the resumption of the disarmament process in northern Afghanistan, the United Nations mission in the country has reported.

Refugee status for East Timorese still in West Timor to end 1 January - UN agency

30 December 2002
East Timorese who fled to Indonesian-controlled West Timor amid the violence that followed the 1999 popular consultation will no longer be regarded as refugees after 1 January, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said today, ending one of the agency's most difficult repatriation efforts.

Inspectors needed to ensure DPR of Korea compliance with nuclear safeguards – IAEA

27 December 2002
Following Pyongyang’s request to remove United Nations monitors from the country, the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog agency today said inspectors were needed in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to ensure compliance with international safeguards.

Concerned over Korean Peninsula tensions, Annan urges Pyongyang to work with UN

27 December 2002
Reacting to recent developments in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Secretary-General Kofi Annan today urged the country's Government to cooperate with the United Nations nuclear energy agency.

Actions by DPR of Korea tantamount to ‘nuclear brinkmanship,’ IAEA chief says

26 December 2002
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today said that the recent actions of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) towards restarting its reprocessing facility at Nyongbyong raised serious non-proliferation concerns and were tantamount to "nuclear brinkmanship."

Cambodia accepts Annan’s invitation to start talks on Khmer Rouge court

26 December 2002
Cambodia has accepted an invitation from United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to begin exploratory talks next month on setting up a special court to try former Khmer Rouge leaders, a UN spokesman said in New York.

DPR of Korea continues to disrupt UN safeguards at nuclear facility

24 December 2002
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has unilaterally continued the process of disrupting safeguards installed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at the country’s nuclear facilities, the Agency’s top official said today.
UN Security Council in session

Security Council welcomes signing of non-aggression accord for Afghanistan

24 December 2002
The United Nations Security Council today welcomed the recent signing of a non-aggression accord between Afghanistan and six of its neighbouring countries.

Annan invites Cambodia to restart talks on special court for Khmer Rouge leaders

24 December 2002
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has sent a letter to Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia inviting the country for preliminary talks on the establishment of a special court to try Khmer Rouge leaders, a UN spokesman said today.