6-Way Talks to Continue into Thursday, But Progress Unlikely

Beijing, Dec. 10 (Jiji Press)--The six countries negotiating North Korea's denuclearization are slated to continue their talks on Thursday, but there is a growing possibility of the talks ending without progress as Pyongyang remains opposed to the five other nations.

In particular, North Korea and the United States are divided
sharply over the documentation of the verification process for the communist
nation's declared nuclear programs, the main topic at the ongoing six-party
talks, sources familiar with the talks said.
Japan's top negotiator, Akitaka Saiki, told reporters after
Wednesday's session that there remains a gap over specific ways of
verification.
Saiki, director-general of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian
and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, added that he does not think the talks would
make headway.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Asian and Pacific Affairs
Christopher Hill, the top U.S. negotiator, separately said the talks would
enter a recess if there is no progress.
According to Hill, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan
refused to hold negotiations based on a draft document presented by Chinese
Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei on Tuesday.
Kim Sook, South Korea's special representative for Korean Peninsula
peace talks, said North Korea reiterated its stance of not allowing nuclear
samples to be taken from the country's nuclear facilities at this stage.
North Korea has also been insisting that the verification process
should start after energy aid to the country is complete.
North Korea and other countries also remained apart over such
issues as the involvement of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the
scope of North Koran facilities subject to the verification and when to
launch the process.

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