North Korean Nuclear Talks Enter Fourth Day

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill says negotiations are tough but offer a glimmer of hope.

The talks resumed on December 18 after a 13-month break. On December 20, Hill said negotiators are working on implementing a September 2005 statement that promised North Korea aid and security assurances in return for nuclear disarmament.

"We need to get on with the task of implementing the September agreement, and we do believe that there are some elements of that September agreement that should begin to get implemented, even this week," Hill said today. "And, what I don't want is a situation where we have met this week, we have had numerous discussions, and then we have nothing to be implemented."

The talks bring together delegates from the two Koreas, China, the United States, Japan, and Russia.

(AFP)