N Korea demands nuclear reactors

Reaction to North Korea’s demand for civilian reactors before dismantling its nuclear programme ranged from harsh to calm today, though none of the parties to international talks said they expected the negotiating process to break down.

The US told the North to “reflect on the agreement they signed” in reference to a six-nation accord announced yesterday in which the communist country pledged to abandon all its nuclear programmes in exchange for economic aid and security assurances.