DATE=07/28/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CHINA/US/NUCLEAR - (S)

NUMBER=2-305889

BYLINE=JIM RANDLE

DATELINE=BEIJING

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The top U-S diplomat for arms control says China and the United Nations should do more to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis. As V-O-A's Jim Randle reports, China is North Korea's main source of fuel and other support.

TEXT: U-S Undersecretary of State for Arms Control John Bolton says China has peaceful but powerful means to pressure North Korea to give up its illegal program to build atomic bombs.

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I don't think there is any question that China's influence beyond that is substantial, given that it supplies between 70 and 90 per cent of North Korea's fuel needs and provides substantial additional humanitarian assistance as well.

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He implied that cutting off aid would increase pressure on Pyongyang to stop trying to build nuclear weapons.

Mr. Bolton also urged the United Nations Security Council to follow up on Washington's request to take steps against North Korea for violating international agreements banning Pyongyang from building nuclear weapons.

China hosted three-way talks with the United States and North Korea last April that ended with no visible progress. Since then, Beijing has sent a series of high-level envoys to Pyongyang, Washington and Moscow to try and restart the talks.

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The crisis began 10 months ago when U-S officials say North Korea said it had a covert program to build nuclear bombs - a program that broke international treaties.

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Mr. Bolton next travels to South Korea and Japan. (Signed)

NEB/HK/JR/MH/MEM