ID :
29058
Sat, 11/08/2008 - 14:20
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/29058
The shortlink copeid
China not yet ready to call next 6-way meeting: negotiator+
BEIJING, Nov. 7 Kyodo - China, chair of the six-party process for denuclearizing North Korea, is not yet ready to call the group's next meeting, Japan's top nuclear negotiator said Friday, after talks with his Chinese counterpart.
Akitaka Saiki, Japan's chief delegate to the six-way talks, said differences
still remain among countries over how to put to paper a recent U.S.-North Korea
agreement on methods to verify Pyongyang's nuclear information.
''I believe the chair of the talks will present a date following the process of
coordination with countries,'' Saiki, director general of the Foreign
Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, told reporters.
''But today, it seemed that the Chinese side was not yet ready to present a
specific date to relevant countries,'' he said after talks with Chinese Vice
Foreign Minister Wu Dawei.
Saiki said there were still hurdles to be overcome before the six parties can
draw up a document on the verification regime for North Korea's nuclear
programs.
''I think there are various difficulties over the compilation of the
document,'' he said. ''I think the very important thing is for the six
countries to cooperate toward overcoming these difficulties and forming the
agreement.''
Washington and Pyongyang agreed in October on a mechanism to verify North
Korea's nuclear information, such as the participation of experts from all six
parties as well as access to undeclared sites by mutual consent.
The six countries -- North and South Korea, China, Japan, Russia and the United
States -- need to hold a heads of delegation meeting in Beijing to put the
bilateral agreement in writing as a six-way deal.
But differences remain, including whether to refer to sampling and forensic
activities in the document as such or to do so as ''scientific procedures.''
Japan is pushing for clearer language in the document.
Asked about China's reaction to Japan's position, Saiki said, '' I believe
there is an understanding over Japan's position that there is a need to confirm
important things on the document.''
Saiki arrived in Beijing on Friday for a brief visit aimed specifically at
meeting with Wu.
Akitaka Saiki, Japan's chief delegate to the six-way talks, said differences
still remain among countries over how to put to paper a recent U.S.-North Korea
agreement on methods to verify Pyongyang's nuclear information.
''I believe the chair of the talks will present a date following the process of
coordination with countries,'' Saiki, director general of the Foreign
Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, told reporters.
''But today, it seemed that the Chinese side was not yet ready to present a
specific date to relevant countries,'' he said after talks with Chinese Vice
Foreign Minister Wu Dawei.
Saiki said there were still hurdles to be overcome before the six parties can
draw up a document on the verification regime for North Korea's nuclear
programs.
''I think there are various difficulties over the compilation of the
document,'' he said. ''I think the very important thing is for the six
countries to cooperate toward overcoming these difficulties and forming the
agreement.''
Washington and Pyongyang agreed in October on a mechanism to verify North
Korea's nuclear information, such as the participation of experts from all six
parties as well as access to undeclared sites by mutual consent.
The six countries -- North and South Korea, China, Japan, Russia and the United
States -- need to hold a heads of delegation meeting in Beijing to put the
bilateral agreement in writing as a six-way deal.
But differences remain, including whether to refer to sampling and forensic
activities in the document as such or to do so as ''scientific procedures.''
Japan is pushing for clearer language in the document.
Asked about China's reaction to Japan's position, Saiki said, '' I believe
there is an understanding over Japan's position that there is a need to confirm
important things on the document.''
Saiki arrived in Beijing on Friday for a brief visit aimed specifically at
meeting with Wu.
