White House says Syria ‘must come clean’ about nuclear work

04/24/2008

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House said Thursday that North Korea's secret work on a nuclear reactor with Syria was "a dangerous and potentially destabilizing development for the world," raising doubts about Pyongyang's intention to carry through with a promised disclosure of its nuclear activities.

Seven months after Israel bombed the reactor, the White House broke its silence and said North Korea assisted Syria's secret nuclear program and that the destroyed facility was not intended for "peaceful purposes."

The disclosure could undermine six-party negotiations to try to resolve the nuclear standoff with North Korea. The White House issued a two-page statement after lawmakers were given details about the reactor in a series of briefings on Capitol Hill. The White House said the International Atomic Energy Agency also was being briefed on the intelligence.

While calling North Korea's nuclear assistance to Syria a "dangerous manifestation" of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program and its proliferation activities, the U.S. said it remained committed to the talks.

The administration said that after the reactor was damaged beyond repair, Syria tried to bury evidence of its existence.

"The Syrian regime must come clean before the world regarding its illicit nuclear activities," White House press secretary Dana Perino said.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House says North Korea assisted Syria's secret nuclear program and that the reactor bombed by Israel last September was not intended for peaceful purposes.

After seven months of silence, the administration said that after the reactor was damaged beyond repair, Syria tried to bury evidence of its existence. The U.S. says Syria "must come clean before the world" about its nuclear activities.

The White House called North Korea's nuclear assistance to Syria a "dangerous manifestation" of that country's nuclear weapons program and its proliferation activities. Still, the U.S. says it is moving forward with six-party talks to try to resolve the nuclear standoff with North Korea.