Chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Friday that his agency and the United States are working together on a plan for the eventual return of nuclear inspectors to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

At a press conference at the IAEA headquarters here after a four-day visit to the United States, Mohamed ElBaradei said he had discussed with US President George W. Bush a plan for the eventual return of nuclear inspectors to the DPRK.

ElBaradei stressed that the new inspections will be stricter than all the previous ones, saying, "We need to consult to see how we can come up with a plan that avoids the pitfalls of the past and makes sure that we have a comprehensive, verifiable action plan that ensures we will be able to have a complete survey of their nuclear program."

ElBaradei added that if the six-party talks, involving the DPRK,South Korea, China, the United States, Russia and Japan, reach any deal on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, it should include unfettered UN inspections.

According to an IAEA statement released on Friday, ElBaradei also held meetings with US officials on the control of nuclear materials export and prevention of nuclear proliferation.

In response to the US suspension of fuel supply, the DPRK withdrew from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in January lastyear and later expelled IAEA inspectors who were responsible for verifying the nuclear facilities located in Yongbyon

(Xinhua News  Agency  March 20, 2004)