WASHINGTON — The Bush administration Saturday removed North Korea from its list of state sponsors of terrorism after Pyongyang 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.
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. Though they demanded access to other areas, U.S. officials settled for language saying that entry to undeclared sites would be granted based on "mutual consent."
The ambiguities of the deal concerned some Republicans, including presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, who said he still needed to be convinced 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 "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," Obama said.
The administration's position marks a 180-degree turn for a team that came to office in 2001 contending that the Clinton administration had been too lenient in its six-year effort to trade North Korea's nuclear ambitions for economic and political benefits. Now, the Bush administration counts its denuclearization program as one of its most important achievements.
Although the program has been an administration priority, it is a complex undertaking that may stretch on for years and meet resistance from North Korea at every step of the way. U.S. officials acknowledged in a news conference Saturday that daunting obstacles remain.
"Verifying North Korea's nuclear declaration will be a serious challenge," said Patricia McNerney, assistant secretary of State for international security and nonproliferation. "This is the most secret and opaque regime in the entire world."
