Russian foreign ministry optimistic on N.Korea talks

MOSCOW, Dec 15 (Reuters) Russia is optimistic about six-party talks which convene next week in Beijing with the aim of persuading North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons, its envoy to the talks said today.

''I think we will manage to get results. At least we are optimistic,'' Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alexeyev, who will lead the Russian delegation, told Interfax news agency.

''Our delegation is going to Beijing with hope and optimism.'' Envoys from the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States will resume talks that have been stalled for more than one year on Monday.

The aim of the talks is to get Pyongyang to scrap its nuclear weapons programme in exchange for aid, greater diplomatic standing and pledges it will not be attacked.

Defying international warnings, North Korea test-fired missiles in July and conducted an underground nuclear test in October.

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