US, Japan want DPRK verification

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-03-2008 10:22

US chief nuclear envoy Christopher Hill has held talks with his Japanese counterpart, Akitaka Saiki, ahead of next round of six-party talks on the DPRK nuclear issue.

US chief nuclear envoy Christopher Hill has held talks with his Japanese counterpart, Akitaka Saiki, ahead of next round of six-party talks on the DPRK nuclear issue. (CCTV.com)

The two agreed that an agreement to allow inspectors to take samples from Pyongyang's nuclear complex to verify past nuclear activities -- should be written into a six-party deal.

After Tuesday's meeting in Tokyo, Hill and Saiki told reporters that taking samples from DPRK's nuclear complex is a key part of the verification process.

They say a list of measures, including taking samples, should be clearly stated in a written agreement.

Christopher Hill, S Chief Nuclear Envoy, said, "I think the important point to understand is, when we get to verification, we don't want misunderstandings and the way to clear up misunderstandings is to have things worked out in advance and that is what the protocol is all about."

The new round of six-party talks will start in Beijing on Monday. The US, Japan and South Korea will have a three-way meeting before the talks to coordinate their positions.

The Beijing talks followed Hill's visit to Pyongyang in early October. That's when he struck a verification deal with the DPRK to save the stalled six-party talks.

The Bush administration dropped the country from its terrorism blacklist on October 11. After that, Pyongyang claimed it would continue disarmament activities.

But the US and the DPRK have had disputes over verification methods... with the US claiming its verification deal allows inspectors to take samples away from the nuclear facilities. The DPRK, however, disagrees.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei