    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [February 13, 2007]
    [Page 129]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Six-Party Talks
    February 13, 2007

        I am pleased with the agreements reached today at the six-party
    talks in Beijing. These talks represent the best opportunity to use
    diplomacy to address North Korea's nuclear programs. They reflect the
    common commitment of the participants to a Korean Peninsula that is free
    of nuclear weapons.
        In September 2005, our nations agreed on a joint statement that
    charted the way forward toward achieving a nuclear-weapons-free
    peninsula. Today's announcement represents the first step toward
    implementing that agreement.
        Under the agreements reached today, North Korea has committed to
    take several specific actions within the next 60 days. Among other
    things, North Korea has agreed to shut down and seal all operations at
    the primary nuclear facilities it has used to produce weapons-grade
    plutonium, and has agreed to allow international inspectors to verify
    and monitor this process. In addition to those immediate actions, North
    Korea has also committed to disclose all its nuclear programs and
    disable its existing nuclear facilities, as an initial step toward
    abandoning all of those programs and facilities under international
    supervision.
        The other parties have agreed to cooperate in economic,
    humanitarian, and energy assistance to North Korea. Such assistance will
    be provided as the North carries out its commitments to disable its
    nuclear facilities.
        I commend Secretary Rice, Ambassador
    Hill, and our negotiating team in
    Beijing for their hard work.