US sends bird flu testing kits to N Korea

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FT
By Anna Fifield in Seoul
Published: April 6 2005 12:15 | Last updated: April 6 2005 12:15

In a move that appears to run counter to its isolationist policy towards Pyongyang, the US has sent bird flu testing kits to North Korea to help determine what influenza viruses are breaking out in the reclusive state and to test whether humans are infected.

The US has given three kits to the World Health Organisation, and the administration approved the donation “on a humanitarian basis to help the people of North Korea,” State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said in a statement.

As it seeks to bring Pyongyang back to the nuclear negotiating table, Washington has advocated a hardline policy, refusing to offer the North Korean regime any further concessions in return for discussing its weapons programmes.

The Bush administration has voiced its disapproval of South Korea's economic development projects in the North and has even suggested Seoul should halt fertiliser shipments - considered humanitarian aid - while the nuclear stand-off drags on.

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