Home>News Center>World
         
 

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.
Page: 123



Liberia poised to have Africa's first-ever elected female president
Former Indian president passes away
Suicide bombers kill 57 at Jordan hotels
 
  Today's Top News     Top World News
 

Beijing finally unveils its Olympic mascots - five Fuwa

 

   
 

Beijing: Bush-Dalai Lama meeting negative

 

   
 

US$1.7b deals dominate Hu's German agenda

 

   
 

Poll: Most Americans say Bush not honest

 

   
 

Three Chinese killed in Jordan bombing

 

   
 

US embassy retracts terror warning

 

   
  First phase of six-party talks concludes with chairman's statement
   
  US, EU tentatively back Russian atom plan for Iran
   
  Angry Jordanians rally to protest bombings
   
  US voices hope Japan can join UN Security Council
   
  Poll: Most Americans say Bush not honest
   
  President: Syria will cooperate with UN
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  News Talk  
  Are the Republicans exploiting the memory of 9/11?  
Manufacturers, Exporters, Wholesalers - Global trade starts here.
Advertisement