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A joint document may come out Saturday from the ongoing six-party talks on Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, chief Russian negotiator Alexander Alexeyev said Friday afternoon.
"We have a chance to get a joint document of principles tomorrow," Alexeyev told reporters in the Russian Embassy in Beijing.
North Korea demands a right to peaceful nuclear power or programs, and other states do respect this right, he said.
"It is a common understanding, of course, that first all nuclear weapons and all the existing nuclear programs should be banned," he said.
When asked if Russia has shown an interest in providing a light-water reactor to North Korea, Alexeyev said "I never said this."
China put forward a revised draft of a common document at the delegation heads' meeting Friday afternoon, asking for a reply before Saturday afternoon.
Alexeyev said the joint document covers North Korea's right to civilian nuclear programs and a light-water reactor.
" From my point of view, the main goal of the six parties is to achieve the dismantlement of all nuclear programs and weapons," Alexeyev added. "This (point) is achieved and definitely and clearly said in the document."
The draft common document presented by China "is acceptable to all parties," Alexeyev said.
Alexeyev also disclosed that if by tomorrow afternoon the joint document is not passed, a recess will be announced.
"We should wait patiently until tomorrow," Alexeyev said.
The six parties, China, North Korea, the United States, South Korea, Russia and Japan, resumed the fourth round of talks in the Chinese capital Tuesday after a five-week recess.
The first three rounds of six-party talks ended inconclusively.
(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2005)
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