SEOUL. Dec 11 : Longtime rivals North and South Korea made surprise proposals for a nuclear-free Korea on Wednesday, calling for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction and an end to Cold War hostilities. reports AP.

In statements opening the fifth round of high-level talks, the prime ministers of both nations presented separate and slightly different proposals for halting their arms race. Both have made past proposals for denuclearization, but they have disagreed on the means of going about it This was the first time such proposals were introduced in an officials face-to-face conference.

The proposals dwarfed others being considered on easing tensions they come at a time of mounting international pressure on North Korea to halt its nuclear arms development

Both proposals called for eliminating weapons of mass destruction and banning the manufacture, possession or deployment of nuclear arms. Both also would allow inspections. including checks at US bases in South Korea, begin-

The Korean peninsula is faced with a grave threat to the very survival of our entire people.' South Korean Prime Minister Chung Won-shlk told his northern counterpart. Yon HyongMuk.

Chung told Yon that North Korea's nuclear weapons programme was well documented and urged the North to enter a

new era of peace and Justice.

"Your side maintains that you have neither the intention nor the ability to develop nuclear weapons." Chung said. ' "But high-tech intelligence devices have gathered solid evidence to the contrary."

"All nations of the world arc thus focusing their attention on your nuclear programme and are increaaingly loudly voicing their concerns." Chung said

South Korea said nuclear reprocessing plant and uranium enrichment facilities, both believed to exist in the North, must be destroyed.

North Korea's proposal demanded a ban on US nuclear umbrella protection for South Korea and a ban on flyovers or stops by airplanes or ships car lying nuclear weapons. These demands have been rejected by the South In the put.

The North's proposal also demanded the withdrawal of US troops and a halt to Joint US-South Korean military ex-

About 40.000 US troops remain In South Korea under a defence treaty. President Bush announced in September that all US tactical nuclear weapons would be withdrawn world wide. Including from South Korea.

Official sources In Seoul said South Korea would announce the withdrawal of all US nuclear weapons before or during Bush's visit the first week of January and then put more pressure on North Korea to allow inspections