6-party talks: Little hope of reaching a deal

Source: CCTV.com | 12-22-2006 16:34

The six-party talks aimed at convincing the DPRK to give up its nuclear program have entered the fifth day. And envoys are holding out little hope of reaching a deal on the first steps toward that goal.

Negotiators said they wanted to focus on a September 2005 agreement that offered the DPRK aid and security guarantees, in return for disarmament. But Pyongyang remained preoccupied with US financial curbs against it.

As they entered the fifth day of negotiations on Friday, it looked like the talks could break down, with no agreement.

US envoy Christopher Hill said, "When the DPRK raises problems, you know, one day is financial issues, another day is something they want but they know they can't have, another day is something that was said about them hurting their feelings, you know, just one thing after the other. So I think what they need to do is get serious about the issue."

Since the talks began on Monday, in the wake of the DPRK's nuclear test, the country has refused to get into substantive discussions over its nuclear weapons, according to envoys in Beijing.

Friday is the last day for the six-party talks.

Editor:Ji Xuewen