US-North Korea talks continue in Berlin

BERLIN, Jan 18 (Reuters) US and North Korean officials will hold a third day of bilateral talks today in Berlin amid hopes of a breakthrough in efforts to curb the communist state's nuclear weapons programme.

A spokeswoman for the US Embassy confirmed that US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, who met North Korean officials for six hours on Tuesday and 1-1/2 hours yesterday, would hold more talks today.

She said it was unlikely Hill would make any statements following the talks.

The bilateral meetings have explored how to resume six-party talks that aim to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions. North Korea exploded its first nuclear device last October.

Those talks, last held in December, include the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in Berlin following a 5-day trip to the West Asia, expressed hope late yesterday that the six-party talks could resume soon.

She said the bilateral discussions could pave the way for a more favourable atmosphere in those talks.

REUTERS SHB VV1519