The administration has refused to do that, but some form of security assurance to North Korea is required.

"It wants more positive security assurances from the United States."

The Soviets said they would phase out all their troops by 1994 in return for security assurances and $7.5 billion in aid.

Those that do could be offered economic incentives and security assurances.

But as its price for giving up the material, North Korea is likely to insist on diplomatic recognition and security assurances.

Israel has sought security assurances from Washington as part of any peace deal with Syria.

It recognised the interest of countries without nuclear weapons to receive security assurances, and that the current resolution was a step in this direction.

France and China provided unilateral security assurances in the form of diplomatic notes.

There are two types of security assurance: positive and negative.

But first security assurances must be obtained from the various governments and militias of the region.