The six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue go
into their fifth day today, with the sides still split over energy
aid to North Korea in return for initial steps toward abandoning
its nuclear program.
After one-on-one meetings, chief negotiators met together
yesterday afternoon trying to reduce differences on a Chinese draft
action plan, which includes the moves North Korea would take
towards abandoning its nuclear program in return for economic aid
and security guarantees.
Reportedly, the draft calls for work to be halted within two
months at nuclear sites in North Korea, including the Yongbyon
reactor, and for Pyongyang to be supplied with alternative energy
sources.
Media reports have indicated that disputes over the compensation
have reduced hopes of a swift agreement on implementing the joint
statement of September 19, 2005.
Under the statement, Pyongyang would give up its nuclear program
in exchange for economic aid and security guarantees.
However, US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, the
chief US negotiator, called the current situation a "good
sign."
"When you work on some issue, some other issue pops up. Nothing
else has popped up and it's just one issue, so it's a good sign,"
Hill told the media, adding that China works hard "at critical
moments."
Hill announced he had a bilateral meeting with Kim Kye-gwan, the
top North Korean negotiator, yesterday morning, and that "the US
side is waiting for North Korea's response".
Pyongyang has allegedly asked for a supply of heavy fuel oil,
the freeing of its accounts at a Macao bank, and an international
commitment to construct nuclear reactors for civilian use in return
for the closure of the Yongbyon nuclear facility. In addition, it
demands normalization of relations with Washington.
"North Korea is demanding too much on the compensation issue. It
will be difficult to reach an agreement if it does not reconsider
its demand," Japanese negotiator Kenichiro Sasae said.
Sasae remained pessimistic, calling the current situation
"severe," adding the signs are "not optimistic" for an agreement to
be reached.
South Korean chief negotiator Chun Yung-woo called it
"unreasonable" to expect a breakthrough since further consultations
will be held.
The current problem is not about the "scale" of the economic aid
to North Korea, but concerned the actions North Korea would take to
denuclearize, said Chun.
Qin Gang, spokesman for the Chinese delegation, told the press
on Saturday evening that consensus was closer than before and that
differences were being narrowed. ?
(China Daily February 12, 2007)
