US President George W Bush today cautiously welcomed a nuclear accord with North Korea but said Pyongyang's compliance must be verified.
President Bush said a promise by North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program was a 'step forward in making this world a more secure place.'
But he added: 'The question is, over time, will all parties adhere to the agreement.' He said it was important that the North Koreans 'understand we're serious about this and that we expect there to be a verifiable process.'
The offer was made at a meeting in Beijing involving delegations from the United States, Russia, South Korea, China and Japan.
Pyongyang would also rejoin the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as soon as possible and would have the right to develop a civilian nuclear programme if it regained international trust.
China called it the most important development since talks began with North Korea two years ago. The head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Mohamed Elbaradei, has welcomed the move.
