Six-Party Talks to continue today
By Hu Xiao and Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-08-05 05:50

Qin stressed that currently, the remarkable achievement is that all parties are increasing their understanding of each other's position.

Kim Kye-gwan (C), North Korean Vice Foreign Minister and top negotiator for the six-party talks,speaks to journalists outside the North Korean embassy in Beijing August 4, 2005. [newsphoto]

The fourth round of the Six-Party Talks, opened last Tuesday in Beijing, are the longest since the talks were launched in 2003 and have been characterized by frequent one-on-one meetings between Washington and Pyongyang, the most critical participants.

The six parties have held 72 bilateral consultations, exceeding the total number bilateral meetings held during the previous three rounds of the talks.

China have held 14 one-on-one meetings with the US and 11 with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), seven with Japan, six with Russia and four with the Republic of Korea (ROK), said Qin.

The United States and the DPRK delegates have so far met nine times, with the latest meeting yesterday reportedly arranged by the ROK.

The two sides might still have the chance to meet again, Qin said.

A Chinese source confirmed that an unscheduled joint meeting of chief delegates was held yesterday evening, striving for a breakthrough in negotiations.

In Seoul, ROK Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon said the parties in Beijing were making "last-minute efforts" to resolve differences.

US State Department spokesman Tom Casey said on Wednesday at a daily briefing in Washington that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had held telephone conversations with her Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing, on the progress of the Beijing talks.

China reportedly drafted the latest text of the statement of "principles" for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula on Tuesday night.

All but the DPRK expressed support for it, according to the Yonhap news agency.

Qin did not confirm the report, saying that all parties need to demonstrate flexibility and make more joint efforts.

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