Cambodia 'not sheltering Thaksin'

Thaksin, Hun Sen and Tea Banh playing golf together in Siem Reap in 2008 (Photo: Reuters)

The Nation

Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh has reportedly dismissed allegations that Thaksin Shinawatra had entered Cambodia and that he had been given a Cambodian passport.

Tea Banh insisted that Thaksin had never set foot in Cambodia as reported by the media, adding that it was not in his government's interest to back the fugitive leader.

A number of media outlets have quoted unnamed sources as saying that Thaksin has been holding secret meetings with his supporters in the Cambodian island of Koh Kong.

When asked whether the tension between Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen still existed, Tea Banh replied: "What's done is done. There is nothing to worry about."

Kasit called Hun Sen a "thug" during an anti-Thaksin demonstration last year after the Cambodian leader gave Thailand an ultimatum to pull troops out of the disputed border territory.

In a separate report, public prosecutors yesterday postponed their meeting Jakrapob Penkair to June 15 before they make a decision whether to indict him for lese majeste.

Jakrapob, formerly a prime minister's Office minister and until recently a leader of the red-shirt movement, asked for the postponement saying he had some business to attend to overseas.

The prosecutors decided to grant him the request because further investigation and questioning of witnesses, as well as translation of relevant documents, had not been completed, according to Kayasit Pisawongprakan, director-general of the criminal litigation division at the Attorney-General's Office.

The case against Jakrapob is in connection to a lecture he delivered, in English, at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand in August 2007.

If Jakrapob fails to report to the prosecutors on June 15, his guarantors would be asked to find him or an arrest warrant would be issued for him, Kayasit told a press conference at the Attorney-General's Office.

Protesters blockade Parliament second day; Legislators convene at Foreign Ministry

Protesters blockade Parliament second day; Legislators convene at Foreign Ministry

BANGKOK, Dec 30 (TNA) - Insistent anti-government demonstrators demanding dissolution of Thailand's lower house of Parliament to force a fresh national election blocked the entrances of the kingdom's legislative body for the second day Tuesday morning, preventing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva from delivering his coalition government's policy statement. The coalition government of Democrat leader Abhisit moved decisively to convene Parliament at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to a top aide of the prime minister. Satit Wongnongtoey, Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, announced that the government had opted to change the venue and convene Parliament at the ministry. Prime Minister Abhisit and the Democrat Party members of parliament were already at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 10 am, after being rebuffed by unyielding protesters at outside the grounds of the Parliament buildings. Police officials negotiating with the protesters, led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), tried to open the way through the Red Shirted crowd to allow the lawmakers to enter the compound for the speech scheduled for 9.30am but the talks failed. The policy statement was originally scheduled to start on Monday at 9.30am but the blockades forced Parliament speaker Chai Chidchob to postpone the session twice before being rescheduled to Tuesday. Riot police inside the compound tried to push open one of the main gates to open the way, but they were forced back by the protesters. The UDD Red Shirt protesters are loyal to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled in a military coup in 2006 and is now a fugitive, having jumped bail during legal proceedings against him in August. They camped overnight in front of the Parliament after successfully preventing the session on Monday. The protesters said the MPs and Senators could enter Parliament only by foot, and that the UDD, which called on Prime Minister Abhisit to dissolve Parliament, would not obstruct but would help them walk through. However, in the last analysis, House Speaker Chai was unsure regarding the safety of the MPs if they walk through crowd of protesters . The UDD core leaders said the demonstration at Parliament would continue during the government's plan to deliver its policy statement. If the venue is changed, the UDD will follow the MPs to the new venue wherever the meeting is to be held. They said the UDD objected to the manner in which Mr. Abhisit had achieved the prime minister's post.

BoT concerned with government's failure to deliver policy

BANGKOK, Dec 30 (TNA) – Bank of Thailand (BoT) deputy governor Atchana Waiquamdee on Monday said that should the government be unable to deliver its policy before the parliament, it would cause political instability and definitely affect the country's economy. Currently, she said, the fiscal policy is vital to the government's effort to stimulate the economy. Should there be a delay in disbursing the budget, it would impact public confidence and private consumption and investment. Parliamentary approval of the budget is required before the government is free to dispense funds. Mrs. Atchana said that adoption of a monetary policy to stimulate the economy by reducing the policy interest rate to help the private sector might not work since commercial banks are reluctant to lend upon concerns of the economic slowdown. Accordingly the government must rely upon fiscal policy to boost the economy, but any measures must be implemented only temporarily to help a specific group of people which is experiencing hardship, such as employees who have lost their jobs by being made redundant. Regarding the government's intention to pursue the so-called 'Six Measures Six Months' package, she said, the government should instead help the jobless and those who experience difficulties because the populist policy could impact political stability. In addition, she viewed the government should lift the subsidy on the oil excise tax and increase the excise tax to boost prices of agricultural commodities, particularly oil palm and sugarcane.

PAD declares victory as House Speaker calls off joint parliamentary session

BANGKOK, Nov 24 (TNA) - Key leaders of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) declared victory on Monday after their mass protests at Parliament prompting the cancellation of today's joint session of the House of Representatives and Senate, postponing it indefinitely. PAD core leaders Pipob Thongchai and Somsak Kosaisook said the postponement of the joint parliamentary session was considered an early victory of the protesters after House Speaker Chai Chidchob called off the meeting. The protest leaders vowed to take their protest to every venue of the parliamentary meeting until the session ends this Friday. House Speaker Chai Chidchob adjourned Monday's joint session of Parliament before midday after tens of thousands of protesters surrounded the compound. The joint session was aimed to consider drafted international conventions and treaties to be signed at next month's Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Thailand's northern city of Chiang Mai, he said. The protesters claimed that they blocked access to Parliament to obstruct amendments to the Constition from being debated, which they said may be considered during the joint session. Mr. Chai said in a telephone interview that he would reconvene the meeting again when all sides, including the government, the opposition, the senate, and the PAD negotiate and reach a conclusion. Meanwhile, the government assigned its deputy national police chief to negotiate with PAD protest leaders to disperse after tens of thousands of their demonstrators surrounded Parliament Monday morning. Deputy National Police Commissioner Wiroj Phahonwet has been asked to negotiate with the PAD, according to government spokesman Nuttawut Saikua, who said Deputy Prime Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul made the announcement. Mr. Nuttawut said the government hoped the PAD would disperse and that the parliamentary session could begin to consider drafted international conventions and treaties ahead of next month's Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.

House Speaker adjourns joint House/Senate session

BANGKOK, Nov 24 (TNA) – House Speaker Chai Chidchob adjourned Monday's joint session of Members of Parliament and senators after the People's Alliance for Democracy surrounded the compound. The joint session was aimed to consider drafted international conventions and treaties to be signed at next month's Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Thailand's northern city of Chiang Mai, he said. Peoples' Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters claimed that they blocked access to Parliament to obstruct amendments to the Constitution from being debated, which they said may be considered during the joint session. Mr. Chai said in a telephone interview that he would reconvene the meeting again when all sides, including the government, the opposition, the senate, and the PAD negotiate and reach a conclusion. In response to the adjournment, PAD leader Pipob Thongchai said the movements leaders had not yet decided if the protesters will remain outside Parliament or move back to their stronghold at Government House. Mr. Pipob said the House Speaker could convene an urgent meeting anytime and that the PAD remained uncertain as to whether a parliamentary session might attempt to amend the Constitution.

Protesters pulls plug on police HQ, surrounds gov't offices

BANGKOK, Nov 24 (TNA) - Anti-government protesters 'pulled the plug' for all electrical power into Thailand's police headquarters Monday morning, but said they would not attempt to enter the compound which includes Metropolitan Police Headquarters. The protesters say their protest is a call for justice for the democracy activist protesters who were killed by the police in the Oct 7 Bangkok street clashes, when the police used tear gas to disperse the crowd outside parliament. Two people were killed and hundreds injured in the violence. Cutting off electricity and access to many police and government offices is to pressure Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to resign, as the protesters say he is simply a front for the interests of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, but Mr. Somchai, in Peru, insisted he would not resign. According to the report, the PAD also cut electricity to Parliament building and the Ministry of Finance. Peoples' Alliance for Democracy (PAD) demonstrators have surrounded Parliament, the Ministry of Finance, and the Metropolitan Police Bureau in their mass protest billed as the final push and 'the last battle' to oust the prime minister. "We came in through democratic elections, so I am not thinking of resigning at all. I will exercise restraint to the utmost. We have to talk and try for reconciliation," he said in an interview with Reuters in Lima, speaking from after a session of the Pacific Rim economic summit. Mr. Somchai spoke from Lima as thousands of anti-government protesters invested Parliament, the Ministry of Finance, and the Metropolitan Police Bureau. The beleaguered Thai prime minister, mild-mannered and apparently unflustered, said he need not rush to return before completing his APEC mission as he believed the agencies concerned could keep the situation under control. Meanwhile, the PAD supporters still occupies Government House, its stronghold for three months, which is protected by its guards.

Thai-Cambodian border meeting postponed

Thai-Cambodian border meeting postponed

Gen. Tea Banh, 3rd from right, visited the "disputed zone" on 25th July, 2008.

Cambodia has postponed the meeting to settle the border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand without giving any reason, Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Sunday.

Thai army commander Lt-Gen. Viboonsak Neepal and Cambodian Army commander Chea Mon were originally scheduled to meet in Siem Reap on Tuesday for talks to settle the border dispute.

Thailand's ministry of foreign affairs revealed that it was informed by the army that Cambodian deputy prime minister and defense minister Tea Banh called for postponing the Regional Border Committee meeting between the two countries.

It is believed that the postponement resulted from concern that the meeting, if held according to the original schedule, won't be able to reach any agreement to settle the border dispute focused on the 11th century Preah Vihear temple without a negotiation framework approved by the Thai parliament.

Dr. Prat Booyawongvirote, Permanent Secretary for Public Health said that Boonrit Khantee, a Thai paramilitary ranger who was wounded in the head, is still in coma and under close medical observation in the intensive unit.

A doctor in charge of administering treatment said that Ranger Boonrit was on a respirator and had complications. Seven Thai soldiers were wounded and two Cambodian soldiers were killed in the skirmish at the Thai-Cambodian border on October 15. (TNA)

S Korean economy to grow below 4% in 2009

SEOUL, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Bank of Korea Governor Lee Seong-tae said that the South Korean economy is expected to grow less than 4 percent in the first half of next year, the Korea Times reported Wednesday.

"It doesn't seem that Korea's gross domestic product (GDP) will expand by over 4 percent in the first half of 2009. And it is too early to say the economy will get better in the second half because of uncertain global economic conditions," Lee said at the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

During his speech at Washington, Lee hinted the possibility of an additional rate cut in the coming months, saying the central bank will consider the current account balance and other economic variables along with the inflation rate when deciding the interestrate policy.

He stressed that under current situation achieving a balanced current account is the nation's top priority as the country's trade deficit is expected to reach around 10 billion U.S. dollars this year.

"Some people think achieving high growth is more important than inflation control and others don't. But the important thing under any circumstance is to accomplish a balanced account," Lee said.

Lee also made a comment on the nation's ongoing dollar shortage despite central bank's effort to provide greater liquidity through currency swap deals.

He said the supply and demand of dollars, as well as the foreign exchange rate, should be determined by market players while the country should focus on creating an environment for the won to be widely used for international trade and capital transactions.

Pacific Island Forum economist warns Pacific nations of crisis

WELLINGTON, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Pacific Island Forum's director of economic governance Roman Grynberg said Pacific Island states need to prepare themselves for what he describes as the most serious economic event since the great depression.

Grynberg said prices for commodities produced in the Pacific such as cocoa have already dropped by up to 30 percent, Radio New Zealand International reported on Wednesday.

He said no one knows what the full implications of the financial crisis was likely to be but there's no doubt a world-wide slowdown in economic growth will hit Pacific Island nations hard.

"It's very doubtful that many of the developed countries that will be under such severe budgetary pressures in the coming years as a result of the need to provide just the initial level of support to their banking systems will be able to provide development assistance to the levels that they had promised in the past," he added.

Singapore launches new bunker supply chain standard

SINGAPORE, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Singapore launched a new national bunker supply chain standard called the Singapore Standard 600 (SS 600) on Wednesday.

SS 600 will update and consolidate the requirements under two existing Singapore Standards - CP 60 which applies to bunkering by bunker tankers and CP 77 which applies to bunker surveying, Singapore's Transport Minister Raymond Lim announced at the opening of Singapore International Bunkering Conference here on Wednesday morning.

The new standard, to be phased in by the second half of 2009, will benefit the bunkering industry, Lim said.

It rationalizes requirements under CP 60 and CP 77 and streamlines the documentation processes, making it easier for bunker players to ensure compliance, Lim noted.

The standard will require suppliers to sign declarations that each load of bunkers delivered complies fully with regulations under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.

"This will give ship operators confidence that they will be fully compliant with international regulations such as bunker sulphur content limits," said the minister.

He added that the new standard will ensure customers fuel quality, with the introduction of improved fuel sampling requirements that will further reduce the possibility of sample tampering and fraud.

ASEAN meeting on rural development and poverty closes in Singapore

SINGAPORE, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The 6th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty, and the regional bloc's inaugural plus three meeting with China, Japan and South Korea closed here on Wednesday.

The meeting was opened on Monday by Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Singapore's Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports. She stressed that narrowing the development gap in the region is important to the integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

During the two-day meeting, representatives from the 10 member states reviewed and discussed activities by member countries aimed at eradicating poverty.

On the ASEAN+3 level, the countries on Wednesday discussed joint projects and activities that were proposed in the areas such as narrowing the development gap, addressing poverty among the socially vulnerable groups.

The meeting will be held at the ministerial level in Hanoi, Vietnam, next year, while the 7th senior officials meeting is scheduled for 2010 in Thailand, followed immediately by the secondASEAN+3 meeting with China, Japan and South Korea.

Australian PM warns of more casualties in Afghanistan

CANBERRA, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Australian forces will suffer more casualties in Afghanistan but troops will remain in the fightfor the "long haul," Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said here Wednesday night.

He said while progress in the war in Afghanistan was slow and subject to setbacks, Australia's involvement in the conflict was critical.

Rudd made the comments during an address at the War Memorial in Canberra after an Australian special forces commando was killed and four of his comrades wounded in a firefight with Taliban forces near their base in southern Oruzgan province.

Earlier in the year, Rudd warned the security situation in the war-torn country remained "grim" and the year ahead would "be difficult, dangerous and bloody".

"There will be more casualties," he warned Wednesday again, as this was a dangerous theater of operations. But he said the mission was important for Australia.

"It is critical because it is clearly in our national interest," he said.

There were two compelling reasons for Australia's commitment to Afghanistan, Rudd said.

The first was to prevent the spread of terrorism by directly taking on this threat and helping Afghanistan to rebuild itself into a more peaceful and stable state, and the second was demonstrating Australia's capacity to play an active role in enhancing international security.

Australia has 1,100 troops in Afghanistan, including special forces and engineers operating in restive Oruzgan province in the country's south-central region. Six Australian soldiers have died in Afghanistan since 2002, including five in the past year.

S Korean economy to grow below 4% in 2009

SEOUL, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Bank of Korea Governor Lee Seong-tae said that the South Korean economy is expected to grow less than 4 percent in the first half of next year, the Korea Times reported Wednesday.

"It doesn't seem that Korea's gross domestic product (GDP) will expand by over 4 percent in the first half of 2009. And it is too early to say the economy will get better in the second half because of uncertain global economic conditions," Lee said at the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

During his speech at Washington, Lee hinted the possibility of an additional rate cut in the coming months, saying the central bank will consider the current account balance and other economic variables along with the inflation rate when deciding the interestrate policy.

He stressed that under current situation achieving a balanced current account is the nation's top priority as the country's trade deficit is expected to reach around 10 billion U.S. dollars this year.

"Some people think achieving high growth is more important than inflation control and others don't. But the important thing under any circumstance is to accomplish a balanced account," Lee said.

Lee also made a comment on the nation's ongoing dollar shortage despite central bank's effort to provide greater liquidity through currency swap deals.

He said the supply and demand of dollars, as well as the foreign exchange rate, should be determined by market players while the country should focus on creating an environment for the won to be widely used for international trade and capital transactions.

Australian FM pledges to keep troops in Afghanistan

CANBERRA, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said here on Sunday it was important for Australia to remain troops in Afghanistan to prevent a repeat of terrorist attacks in Southeast Asia.

Smith told the Ten Network it was essential for the international community and in Australia's national interests to stay in Afghanistan.

"There's no doubt that this is the current center of international terrorism. What we know about international terrorism in the modern world is it moves quickly ... north to Europe and south to Southeast Asia. We've already been on the receiving end of terrorism in Southeast Asia. We don't want to be on the receiving end again," Smith said.

Ninety-two Australians died in two of four significant terrorist attacks directed by militant Islamist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) against western interests in Indonesia from 2002-05.

Smith also said the government had made it clear there would beno increase to the current Australian commitment of nearly 1,100 troops.

The deployment was not just a symbolic contribution as Australia was the largest non-NATO troop contributor.

"In addition to our forces we have a substantial capacity-building humanitarian assistance and development assistance into Afghanistan," he said.

Thai PM: Resignation no solution for political crisis

BANGKOK, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat insisted Sunday in a nation-wide TV address that he will not resign as the anti-government movement demanded, adding that his step-down will not solve the country's problems.

Speaking on the state TV station National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) on Sunday evening, the embattled prime minister said the crisis facing the country needs a solution that could solve the conflicts between different sides and bring peace back to the kingdom.

He said people should think twice before judging on rumors that implied his resignation or dissolution of the House of Representatives. He said he would not make such decisions before taking into account all factors.

As for the October 7 chaos, in which police fired tear gas at protestors led by People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to break their besiege around the Parliament compound and the Metropolitan Police Bureau headquarters. In the clash between police and protestors, two people were killed and some 400 injured.

He said some actions have not been taken according to the law and he has ordered to set up two panels to conduct investigations into the violent incidents and comforting victims and their families.

He said the government is democratically elected by the Thai people, and the government has to be responsible for its people and the parliament. He added that the government adheres to the constitutional monarchy.

He also urged the nation to focus on urgent issues such as the economic woes facing the nation amid the recent global financial crisis and the ASEAN summit scheduled to be hosted by Thailand in December.

Somchai said that he deeply worried about the current global financial tsunami that hit not only the United States and Europe, but also Asian countries, adding if Thailand had not taken counter-measures in time to cope with the threats, Thailand might experience a similar financial crisis in 1997.

Another urgent matter is the 14th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit in December, Somchai said. Thailand as the new ASEAN rotating chairman is titled to host the December Summit and it has the responsibility to guarantee the summit and related meetings be conducted smoothly, said the prime minister.

He warned that Thailand's image will be greatly damaged if the domestic political turmoil affects the summit.

Asia law conference to be held in Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The 21st Lawasia Conference will take place here on Oct. 29 - Nov. 1 to provide networking opportunities for legal professionals in the Asia-Pacific region.

The flagship event of the Law Association for Asia and the Pacific Lawasia) is being hosted by the Malaysian Bar Council.

With a theme "Challenging Asia", participants are expected to discuss various subjects, including disasters across borders, sports, and family and human rights.

It is also the first time that the conference will make a permanent shift from an traditional biennial event to an annual one.

LawAsia, established in 1966, is an international organization of lawyers' associations, individual lawyers, judges, legal academics, and others, which focuses on the interests and concerns of the legal profession in the Asia Pacific region.

Chinese, Macedonian PMs exchange congratulations on 15th anniversary of ties

BEIJING, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Macedonian counterpart Nikola Gruevski exchanged congratulatory messages on Sunday to mark the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In the messages, Wen and Gruevski spoke highly of the encouraging progress that has been achieved in the bilateral ties over the past 15 years.

The two leaders also pledged joint efforts to advance the China-Macedonia ties based on the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit for the well-being of the peoples of the two countries.

On the same day, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his Macedonian counterpart Antonio Milososki also exchanged congratulations

Australian FM pledges to keep troops in Afghanistan

CANBERRA, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said here on Sunday it was important for Australia to remain troops in Afghanistan to prevent a repeat of terrorist attacks in Southeast Asia.

Smith told the Ten Network it was essential for the international community and in Australia's national interests to stay in Afghanistan.

"There's no doubt that this is the current center of international terrorism. What we know about international terrorism in the modern world is it moves quickly ... north to Europe and south to Southeast Asia. We've already been on the receiving end of terrorism in Southeast Asia. We don't want to be on the receiving end again," Smith said.

Ninety-two Australians died in two of four significant terrorist attacks directed by militant Islamist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) against western interests in Indonesia from 2002-05.

Smith also said the government had made it clear there would beno increase to the current Australian commitment of nearly 1,100 troops.

The deployment was not just a symbolic contribution as Australia was the largest non-NATO troop contributor.

"In addition to our forces we have a substantial capacity-building humanitarian assistance and development assistance into Afghanistan," he said.

New Zealand opposition National Party launches election campaign

WELLINGTON, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's largest opposition National Party leader John Key on Sunday unleashed a blistering attack on the Labor party's economic credibility.

He made his assault in a speech in Auckland on Sunday afternoon at his party's general election campaign launch, the News talk ZB radio reported.

Key said Labor has managed to disguise its loose economic management in the good times, but now the tide is out they are awfully exposed.

Key said on the current state of the government's books, Finance Minister Michael Cullen's number is up and he has signed his valedictory in red ink.

National packed in around 1,100 people, including MPs, candidates, party members, and supporters, at the SkyCity Convention Center for the launch. The audience included former leader Don Brash, who came within a whisker of defeating Labor in 2005.

New Zealand will hold its general election on Nov. 8.

S Korea hails U.S. decision of deleting DPRK from terrorism list

SEOUL, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- South Korean government on Sunday hailed U.S. decision to delete the Democratic People's Republic of Korea(DPRK) from its terrorism blacklist and expected an early resumption of six-party talks.

"The agreement is expected to put the six-party talks back on a normal track and serve as an opportunity for the North(DPRK) to ultimately abandon its nuclear program," said Kim Sook, South Korea 's chief negotiator for the six-party talks on the nuclear issues on the Korean Peninsula, at a news briefing here.

He said the members of the six-party talks, including China, the United States, DPRK, Russia, Japan and South Korea, will soon gather in Beijing to discuss details.

However, he didn't mention when will the six-party talks resume.

The United States announced Saturday that it will remove the DPRK from its terrorism blacklist after the two sides reached a deal on verification measures over DPRK's nuclear program.

According to U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack, the DPRK would also resume disablement of its nuclear facilities and allow atomic experts to take samples and conduct forensic tests at all of its declared nuclear facilities and undeclared sites on mutual consent.

The removal of the DPRK from the terrorism list follows a two- day trip to Pyongyang by chief U.S. negotiator to the six-party nuclear talks, Christopher Hill, earlier this month.

During the trip, Hill and DPRK negotiators reached an agreement in which the United States would provisionally remove the DPRK from the terror list once the DPRK agrees to verification of its nuclear declaration.

The U.S. listing of DPRK as a "terrorism sponsor" has been a major factor in the deadlock over the Korean peninsula nuclear issue.

In June, U.S. President George W. Bush promised to delist the DPRK from the terrorism sponsor list but never took action after U.S.-DPRK talks on a plan to verify Pyongyang's assertions on its nuclear programs broke down.

The DPRK blew up the cooling tower of its atomic reactor on June 27 to demonstrate its commitment to nuclear disarmament, a day after handing over details of its atomic programs.

The DPRK stopped disabling its nuclear facilities in August in retaliation for Washington's failure to remove the country from its list of terrorism sponsors.