Amid deep discord, N.Korea nuke talks end (AP) Updated: 2005-11-11 20:53
This week's round of talks — the fifth in a series — began Wednesday and had
been scheduled to recess after three days to let diplomats attend an
Asian-Pacific economic conference in South Korea.
A chairman's statement issued by China said negotiators affirmed that they
would "fully implement" a declaration issued at the last round of talks in
September, when North Korea promised to disarm in exchange for aid and a
security guarantee.
"The parties reaffirmed that they would fully implement the joint statement
in line with the principle of `commitment for commitment, action for action,' so
as to realize the verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula at an
early date," said the statement, read out by China's chief delegate, Vice
Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, before the other envoys, who applauded.
The statement said diplomats agreed to meet again at the earliest possible
date.
But the South Korean envoy, Deputy Foreign Minister Song Min-soon, warned
that might not be until next year due to scheduling conflicts in December with a
regional Asian meeting and the Christmas holiday.
"There was an assessment that it will be a little bit difficult to hold
tangible meetings," Song said.
Pyongyang refuses to disarm completely without receiving compensation along
the way. But the United States says it will not reward the North until the
programs are completely and irreversibly dismantled.
Song appeared to support the North's demand to be compensated for interim
steps, saying the suspension of work at its reactor should be followed by a
"corresponding step." He didn't elaborate.
Hill said the other five governments agreed they shouldn't discuss North
Korea's demand for the civilian light-water reactor for power generation until
after its nuclear programs are dismantled.
"All five countries have been very clear on the view
that there will be no discussion of the light-water reactor until the
appropriate time. That appropriate time is not now," he said.
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