McCain, Obama Disagree On Removal Of North Korea From Terror List; Palin Praises "Wise Decision"

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Despite his running mate's statement that the Bush administration had "made a wise decision," Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) over the weekend expressed concern about the decision to remove North Korea from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) said he supports the move only if it makes clear to the communist state that failure to abandon its nuclear ambitions would mean more sanctions.

"I expect the administration to explain exactly how this new verification agreement advances American interests and those of our allies before I will be able to support any decision to remove North Korea from the list of state sponsors of terrorism," McCain said on Friday.

His vice presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, gave a contradictory statement the next day, according to Fox. "Condoleezza Rice, of course, having worked on this strategy for quite some time, I have faith in her that they're making this wise decision and North Korea, of course, better live up to its end of the bargain there, in speaking with the other countries whom they've been working with, in promising the verification."

In his statement, Obama said the move was a "modest step" in dismantling North Korea's nuclear weapons, and "an appropriate response."

"It is now essential that North Korea halt all efforts to reassemble its nuclear facilities... "If North Korea refuses to permit robust verification, we should lead all members of the Six Party talks in suspending energy assistance, re-imposing sanctions that have recently been waived, and considering new restrictions," he added.

North Korea was removed from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism over the weekend after it entered an agreement as part of ongiong Six-Party Talks on denuclearization. The agreement, which would allow inspectors at Yongbyon and other nuclear sites, is between North Korea, China, Japan, the Russian Federation, South Korea and the United States.