Washington, DC – Congressman Howard L. Berman (D-CA), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released this statement today in response to the Administration’s decision to terminate application of the Trading With the Enemy Act to North Korea, and its announced intention to remove North Korea from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism:

“It is encouraging that North Korea has submitted a declaration of its nuclear programs and that the United States has taken these steps. Now the crucial work of verifying the declaration can begin.

“The Administration has wisely chosen to assess Pyongyang’s sincerity in moving forward with the verification process during the Congressionally-mandated 45-day waiting period before North Korea can be removed officially from the State Sponsors of Terrorism List. You can be sure Congress will also closely monitor North Korea’s actions. For now, the ball is squarely in Pyongyang’s court."