DATE=10/31/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-295945

TITLE=RUSSIA / NORTH KOREA (S)

BYLINE=REBECCA SANTANA

DATELINE=MOSCOW

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Russian officials have reacted critically to North Korea's explanations about its nuclear program. V-O-A's Rebecca Santana has more from Moscow.

TEXT: Russia's deputy foreign minister, Alexander Losyukov, said North Korea's answers about their nuclear program are insufficient.

Mr. Losyukov was speaking to the Russian wire service Interfax. He said statements by North Korean officials were ambiguous and such ambiguity is very dangerous, because it leads to mutual suspicions and could have a negative impact on the situation on the Korean peninsula.

Earlier Thursday, the North Korean ambassador to Russia, in comments reported by Interfax, said North Korea has the right to possess nuclear weapons, because it faces a growing nuclear threat from the United States.

Mr. Losyukov called on both the United States and North Korea to clarify the issue, saying Russia has no convincing information that North Korea has such a program.

U-S officials stunned the world earlier this month when they announced that North Korea had admitted to secretly continuing its nuclear weapons program. (Signed)

NEB/RS/KL/TW