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The National Committee on North Korea expresses its hope that the "Initial Actions for the Implementation of the Joint Statement," the agreement signed on February 13, 2007, creates an environment for sustained dialogue and diplomacy. The NCNK supports principled engagement between the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and welcomes the current process as a positive development.

The February 13 agreement describes the first steps for fulfilling the long-term principles outlined in the Joint Statement of September 19, 2005, including the verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner and the goal of normalizing relations between the United States and the DPRK.

The six parties have made important progress in increasing the frequency and scope of their negotiations, and the six party negotiations have been beneficially augmented with parallel bilateral discussions. The rapid scheduling of bilateral consultations this month is a demonstration that all parties recognize the urgency of seizing this opportunity.

However, difficult work lies ahead and many obstacles still remain. It is important that all parties implement the agreement fully, recognizing that there are areas where the details remain undefined. The coming series of negotiations will be an opportunity for participants to demonstrate empirically their intent and commitment to resolve tensions on the Korean peninsula.

This process carries with it the promise of creating an expanded space for organizations like NCNK to enhance mutual understanding, pursue expanded exchange opportunities, and promote the more extensive integration of the DPRK into the international community. We urge all parties to continue their constructive actions toward this end.

Nancy Lindborg, NCNK Co-Chair
Jack Pritchard, NCNK Co-Chair
Karin Lee, NCNK Executive Director
(For a PDF version of the statement, please click here)