China's new proposal on nuke talks praised (AP) Updated: 2005-09-18 20:50
BEIJING - The main U.S. envoy to North Korea nuclear talks said Sunday a new
Chinese proposal allowing the North to keep its civilian nuclear program after
disarming was a positive step, and the six nations negotiating the draft would
discuss it Monday.
Christopher Hill,
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and
top U.S. negotiator for the six-party talks, speaks to journalists before
continuation of talks in Beijing September 18, 2005.
[Reuters] | U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill
said the negotiations aimed at persuading the North to give up its nuclear
weapons ambitions would end Monday whether an agreement was reached or not.
"It's a good draft for all concerned, and I think it's especially a really
great opportunity for" North Korea, Hill said.
Still, he declined to speculate about the outcome of the talks, saying only
that negotiations were continuing and all sides would meet Monday morning to
respond to the Chinese proposal.
When asked if there could be an agreement Monday, Hill answered: "I hope so."
"I think the agreement makes a lot of sense," he said.
Hill did not reveal any specifics of the draft statement, which the main
Russian envoy has said acknowledges the North's right to a peaceful nuclear
program after it disarms. Washington has previously rejected allowing Pyongyang
any nuclear program, saying its history relentlessly pursuing a nuclear bomb
means it can't be trusted.
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