New round of North Korea nuclear talks
The next round of six-nation talks on the dispute ver North Korea’s nuclear programme will begin on November 9 in Beijing, China’s Foreign Ministry announced today.
The date was announced by ministry spokesman Kong Quan at a regular news briefing.
The talks include the two Koreas, host China, the United States, Japan and Russia.
There might be a break during the talks in order for negotiators to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit on November 12-19 in Busan, South Korea, Kong said.
China is hoping the participants will be able to follow through on plans made at the end of the fourth round in September, Kong said.
In the last round of talks, North Korea promised to give up its nuclear programmes in exchange for aid and security guarantees.
However, less than a day later the North cast doubts on its promise, demanding a civilian nuclear reactor for power generation before it disarms.
But North Korean leader Kim Jong Il promised visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao last weekend that the North would go ahead with the fifth round of talks this month.
