TEHRAN, Jul 1 -US National Security Adviser John Bolton has dismissed reports that the administration of President Donald Trump is considering agreeing to a “freeze” of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program as opposed to a more comprehensive denuclearization deal.
TEHRAN, Young Journalists Club (YJC) - The New York Times reported on Sunday that Trump administration officials had been mulling a deal with Pyongyang to halt production of new nuclear material as a way to kickstart another round of talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
The Times said the idea behind the plan was aimed at stopping North Korea's nuclear arsenal from expanding, but would not dismantle North Korea's existing arsenal of weapons.
"I read this NYT story with curiosity. Neither the NSC staff nor I have discussed or heard of any desire to 'settle for a nuclear freeze by NK.'" Bolton tweeted on Monday.
"This was a reprehensible attempt by someone to box in the President. There should be consequences," the hawkish adviser added.
Some recent reports have suggested that Trump is considering replacing Bolton over his plans to push the United States towards a military conflict with Iran, Venezuela and North Korea.
Bolton's comments came after Trump held a meeting with Kim on Sunday at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, in what was effectively an impromptu get-together.
Experts said the meeting, their third, was rich in symbolism, but lacked substance.
The two heads of state met for the first time in Singapore last year on Washington’s initiative, with a view to enabling the North’s denuclearization.
They met for a second summit in Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, in February. But that summit abruptly ended over disagreements on mutual compromises.
However, a recent exchange of affable messages between the leaders of the two countries again raised hopes for the revival of talks.
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