ROK, DPRK test military hotline to avoid clash
(China Daily)
Updated: 2005-08-11 06:16

"The secretary-general urges the governments concerned to use the time before the round is resumed in three weeks to identify ways to reconcile their needs and concerns," the spokesman said.

Annan also extended special praise to China for "its dedication and tireless efforts to facilitate progress" as the host of the talks.

The Six-Party Talks involve ROK, the DPRK, Japan, the United States, Russia and China.

The United States also spoke highly of the fourth round of the Six-Party Talks and believed that an agreement will be reached.

"We have made important progress in this round of talks. There is agreement among five nations, a consensus that we need a denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," White House deputy spokesman Trent Duffy said at a briefing on Tuesday.

ROK to act as mediator

ROK President Roh Moo-hyun said yesterday that the ROK should act as a mediator during the recess of the six-party nuclear talks.

At a meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Song Min-soon, ROK's chief negotiator to the Six-Party Talks, Roh asked the ROK delegation to "actively play a role in resolving key differences during the recess," said Roh's spokesman Kim Man-soo.

Roh expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Seoul delegation, saying "not a small result was achieved despite the fact the talks failed to produce a joint statement due mainly to difference on the peaceful use of nuclear energy," said the spokesman.