WASHINGTON - The Bush administration Saturday removed North Korea from its list of countries that sponsor terrorism after North Korea agreed to allow inspectors access to declared nuclear sites, in a deal that drew quick criticism from conservatives.
After weeks of rancorous negotiations, North Korea agreed to resume the disabling of its Yongbyon plutonium plant and permit international inspectors to return. But although U.S. officials hailed the deal as an important accomplishment, the agreement left unresolved what happens if inspectors seek access to suspicious sites that the regime has not declared. After demanding in negotiations to be given access to other sites, U.S. officials settled for language saying that entry to undeclared sites will be granted based on "mutual consent."
The ambiguities of the deal concerned some Republicans, including presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, who said he needed more convincing that the deal was a good one.
"I expect the administration to explain exactly how this new verification agreement advances American interests and those of our allies before I will be able to support any decision to remove North Korea from the list of state sponsors of terrorism," McCain said.
His Democratic opponent, Sen. Barack Obama, said President Bush's decision to remove North Korea from the list "is an appropriate response, as long as there is a clear understanding that if North Korea failed to follow through, there will be immediate consequences."
"If North Korea refuses to permit robust verification, we should lead all members of the six-party talks in suspending energy assistance, reimposing sanctions that have recently been waived and considering new restrictions," he said.
A sea change
The administration's position marks a 180-degree turn for a team that came to office in 2001 charging that the Clinton administration had been too lenient in its six-year effort to trade North Korea's nuclear program for economic and political benefits.
