Russia Blames U.S. For North Korea Delay

Aleksandr Losyukov (file photo) (epa) April 16, 2007 -- Russia today blamed the United States for stalling an agreement on shutting down North Korea's nuclear program.

Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Losyukov said that Washington's failure to allow Pyongyang access to its funds frozen in a Macau bank blocked a February disarmament accord.

North Korea had until April 14 to shut down its nuclear reactor but failed to do so because of a delay in the release of $25 million frozen under U.S. sanctions.

(compiled from agency reports)