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Six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear programme should resume as soon as possible, the chief US envoy to the negotiations said after holding discussions with host nation China.
“I have had lengthy discussions with (Chinese Vice Minister) Wu Dawei and we have agreed to the need to get the six-party talks going as soon as possible,” US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill told journalists.
“I would hope the Chinese government will be able to announce soon the start-up of the six-party talks.”
Hill made the comments before flying back to the United States, wrapping up a whirlwind trip to brief South Korea, Japan and China on his rare one-on-one talks with North Korea's nuclear envoy Kim Kye-Gwan in Berlin last week.
Kim met with his counterpart in Russia, the sixth member nation of the diplomatic forum that began in 2003, while Hill briefed his six-party counterparts in Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing.
International concern has intensified since North Korea, one of the most isolated and impoverished countries in the world, tested a nuclear weapon in October last year.
The test led to UN sanctions and even condemnation from China, Pyongyang's most important ally.
Washington subsequently redoubled efforts to implement a six-party deal reached in September 2005 to verifiably dismantle North Korea's nuclear programme in exchange for diplomatic recognition and food and energy aid.
Six-nation talks in December, the first since the nuclear test, failed to result in any tangible progress as North Korea, emboldened by the detonation, demanded an end to the UN sanctions.
The reclusive state also insisted that US financial sanctions implemented in late 2005 be lifted.
Hill said the US Treasury Department would resume separate bilateral talks with North Korea soon, which focus on Macau's Banco Delta Asia, accused of laundering money on behalf of the impoverished state.
“We have not determined where they (financial talks) will be held but that will not be a problem,” Hill said.
“They will probably be held before or at the same time as the six-party talks.”
Hill expressed the hope that the next round of six-party negotiations would be more fruitful than the last round.
“Based on all the consultations we've had in the last week or so I think we have a basis for getting together as soon as possible in the six-party talks and making progess,” Hill said before departing Beijing for Washington.
During his talks with Wu, Hill said he briefly discussed a surprise January 11 Chinese missile test that destroyed a satellite, resulting in worldwide concern that China could trigger an arms race in space.
“We had some private discussion, but let me allow the defense department and state department to speak on that issue,” Hill said, refusing further comment.
South Korea's nuclear envoy Chun Young-Woo will visit Beijing this week to discuss the resumption of the six-party talks, Hill said.
