Chief negotiators to the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula
nuclear issue are still at a meeting Sunday morning, and they may
decide whether to take a recess as the marathon negotiation inched
into the 13th day.
Wu Dawei, head of the Chinese delegation, is scheduled to meet
the press after the meeting, according to the press center of the
talks.
Russian chief delegate Alexander Alexeyev said Saturday evening
that the delegates to the fourth round of would take a two-week
recess after the plenary meeting Sunday morning.
A recess did not mean the current round of talks achieved no
progress, he said.
Alexeyev described the current talks as "fruitful" since all
sides reached unprecedented understanding and a common vision on
many issues, thanks to the excellent organization and diplomatic
efforts by China, the host, and the efforts by the other
parties.
He hoped the recess would provide a "very good chance" for the
six parties to adopt a joint document to continue the talks and
realize the goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Japanese chief negotiator Kenichiro Sasae also said Saturday
evening that all parties concerned were discussing on the recess of
the talks.
China, North Korea and the United States held one-on-one
meetings Saturday.
US chief negotiator Christopher Hill told reporters Saturday
evening that the US side is "very interested" in reaching an
agreement and had worked very hard with the Chinese and other
delegations.
"We have options, but one of the options we do not have is the
option of simply walking away," he said.
The fourth round of six-party talks started on July 26 after a
13-month lapse. The last round of talks was held in Beijing in June
2004.
(Xinhua News Agency August 7, 2005)