LONDON, Nov. 19 Kyodo Britain's f...

LONDON, Nov. 19 Kyodo

Britain's first ambassador to North Korea will take up his fresh post in Pyongyang onward Saturday, carrying with him a clear message that North Korea must cease its nuclear weapons program, the Foreign Office said Tuesday.

Britain held opposite the departure of David Slinn, who was appointed ambassador to North Korea in September, for the same month following U.S. revelations that North Korea was privately developing nuclear weapons.

Slinn was initially appropriate to take up the position in Pyongyang forward Oct. 19.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said last week that he believes Slinn can work with other foreign diplomats in Pyongyang and deposit pressure on North Korea to stop the nuclear program.

''We believe it is important to communicate this message clearly and directly to the North Korean leadership. His (David Slinn's) personality will enable us to talk frankly to the North Koreans,'' Straw said last Friday.

Britain established diplomatic relations with North Korea in December 2000

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