US envoy sees basis for progress on NKorea talks

Beijing, Jan 22: Washington's envoy to North Korean nucleartalks said today he saw a basis for progress, saying the Chinesegovernment could announce a date soon for a resumption of six-partynegotiations that broke off in December.

US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill made the commentsafter lengthy discussions with Wu Dawei, China's chief negotiator.

''We hope that the Chinese government will be able to announcesoon the start-up of the talks,'' Hill said, adding that Beijing wouldhave to consult with the other participating countries before settlingon a date.

China hosts the six-party talks, which also group the two Koreas,the United States, Japan and Russia. They began in 2003 with the aim ofpersuading impoverished Pyongyang to scrap its nuclear arms development.

The urgency of making headway has grown since the reclusivecommunist state defied international warnings last October andconducted its first nuclear test, triggering UN sanctions.

The aim of the talks now is to implement a September 2005 dealunder which North Korea would abandon the nuclear option in exchangefor aid and security guarantees.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said yesterday that theearliest possible date for reopening the talks was early February,Kyodo news agency reported.

Asked by reporters about the prospects for fresh talks, Hill said, ''I do believe we have a basis for making progress''.

As he prepared to leave Beijing, Hill briefed Wu about discussionshe had held last week in Berlin with the North Korean representative,Kim Kye-gwan.

The last round in December ended inconclusively, but last week'sthree days of meetings in Berlin between Hill and Kim have raisedhopes. North Korea's official news agency said on Friday a ''certainagreement'' had been reached there.

Kim held talks in Moscow yesterday with Russia's chief negotiator,Alexander Losyukov, on prospects of solving the dispute, the Russianforeign ministry said. Russian news agencies quoted Kim as saying hewas pleased with the outcome.

Reuters>