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US moves to release N Korea funds US moves to release N Korea funds
(about 6 hours later)
The US has announced steps that could give North Korea access to funds frozen in a Macau bank, one of its key demands for dismantling its nuclear programme. The US Treasury says it has completed its investigation into a bank in the Chinese territory of Macau.
The US Treasury has barred American banks from dealings with Banco Delta Asia (BDA), whom it accused of a role in North Korea-linked money laundering. The move paves the way for North Korea to recover funds frozen by the bank - a key demand it made in agreeing to a six-party nuclear deal last month.
North Korean accounts worth $25m (£13m) have been frozen there since 2005. The deal promises the North foreign aid if it ends its nuclear programme.
But the move formally ends the US probe and could allow officials in Macau to release some of Pyongyang's money. Envoys from the six nations involved in the agreement are converging in Beijing for new negotiations, which officially start on Monday.
Last month, North Korea agreed to end its nuclear programme in return for large quantities of foreign aid. "I'm confident the six-party process is going to go ahead," US nuclear envoy Christopher Hill told journalists in Beijing on Thursday.
Under the 13 February deal, Pyongyang has 60 days to shut and seal its Yongbyon nuclear reactor. He added that while discussions were still needed over the Macau bank where the North's accounts are frozen, he did not think this would "pose a stumbling block" to six-party talks.
But one of its key demands has been the release of its funds from BDA.
'Illicit activity''Illicit activity'
In September 2005 the US accused the bank of acting as a conduit for money earned by Pyongyang from counterfeit currency and drug smuggling. In September 2005 the US accused Banco Delta Asia (BDA) of acting as a conduit for money earned by Pyongyang from counterfeit currency and drug smuggling.
Soon afterwards the Macau authorities took control of the bank and froze North Korea's accounts. Soon afterwards the Macau authorities took control of the bank and froze North Korea's accounts - said to be worth $25m (£13m).
N KOREA NUCLEAR DEAL N Korea to 'shut down and seal' Yongbyon reactor, then disable all nuclear facilitiesIn return, will be given 1m tonnes of heavy fuel oilN Korea to invite IAEA back to monitor dealUnder earlier 2005 deal, N Korea agreed to end nuclear programme and return to non-proliferation treatyN Korea's demand for light water reactor to be discussed at 'appropriate time' class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6357853.stm">End of confrontation? class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2340405.stm">Q&A: Nuclear standoff US Treasury Under-Secretary Stuart Levey, announcing the US action on Wednesday, said that the 18-month probe had confirmed BDA's "willingness to turn a blind eye to illicit activity, notably by its North Korean-related clients".
US Treasury Under-Secretary Stuart Levey, announcing the US action, said that the 18-month probe had confirmed BDA's "willingness to turn a blind eye to illicit activity, notably by its North Korean-related clients". N KOREA NUCLEAR DEAL N Korea to 'shut down and seal' Yongbyon reactor, then disable all nuclear facilitiesIn return, will be given 1m tonnes of heavy fuel oilN Korea to invite IAEA back to monitor dealUnder earlier 2005 deal, N Korea agreed to end nuclear programme and return to non-proliferation treatyN Korea's demand for light water reactor to be discussed at 'appropriate time' class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6357853.stm">End of confrontation? class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2340405.stm">Q&A: Nuclear standoff The measures mean US banks and companies must sever all ties with the Macau-based institution.
The measures mean US banks and companies must sever all ties with the Macau-based institution. But the ruling also ends the limbo that left BDA in receivership, and North Korea's money beyond its reach, as it permits the Macau authorities to resolve the bank's legal status and decide whether any of North Korea's assets can be released.
But now, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington, it is up to the Macau authorities whether any of North Korea's assets can be released. The Macau Monetary Authority said in a statement on Thursday that it expressed "its deep regret" over the US findings, adding that the Macau government "will soon make an official response."
The US is expected to issue guidance to financial regulators to identify high-risk accounts.
That could pave the way for North Korea to gain access to some of its money.
But, our correspondent says, it is still not clear how North Korea will react to this announcement and what effect it might have on last month's deal.
The move came as the head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Mohamed ElBaradei, said North Korea was still "fully committed" to giving up its nuclear programme.The move came as the head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Mohamed ElBaradei, said North Korea was still "fully committed" to giving up its nuclear programme.
The IAEA leader was speaking in Beijing after holding talks in Pyongyang, which he described as "quite useful".The IAEA leader was speaking in Beijing after holding talks in Pyongyang, which he described as "quite useful".
Delegates from the six countries involved in the multilateral talks on North Korea's nuclear programme will meet in Beijing next week for further discussions on implementing the 13 February deal.Delegates from the six countries involved in the multilateral talks on North Korea's nuclear programme will meet in Beijing next week for further discussions on implementing the 13 February deal.
Various sideline discussions are set to take place before the official six-party meetings begin on Monday.
Several working-level negotiations have already begun, according to Mr Hill, focusing on energy and economic assistance to the North.