New Discussions Held on North Korea's Nuclear Agenda
In the latest news to emerge in respect of North Korea's pledge to cease all nuclear activities, Armed Forces International learnt on the 27th September 2007 that revitalised discussions on the matter had begun in Beijing - the capital of China. Envoys hailing from the six nations participating in the talks will discuss North Korea's nuclear programme termination in relation to the timeframe for and method by which it will be achieved.
As covered in depth in a previous AFI News Item, the far east nation conducted a nuclear test towards the end of 2006. However, it agreed to cease nuclear activities on the basis of it receiving international aid.
Two months ago, the core Yongbyon Nuclear Reactor was shut down.
The discussions involve representatives from China, Russia, Japan and the United States, as well as North and South Korea.
Previous talks on the subject of nuclear disarmament were held earlier in September at Geneva, Switzerland. There, according to officials from the US, North Korea promised that its network of nuclear facilities would undergo closure by 2007's end.
The South Korean Chief Delegate, Chun Yung-Woo, highlighted how the discussions would raise some tough issues. "Because the disablement and declaration phase is a road no one has ever walked on, setting a guideline and a milestone is going to be... difficult and important", he emphasised.
Prior to the current discussions, a smaller-scale meeting was held between the US Envoy, Christopher Hill, and Kim Kye-gwan - his equivalent from North Korea. Post-meeting, Mr Hill reported that both parties seemed to be "very much on the same wave-length", but that further discussions were still required. Mr Kim affirmed that the nations taking part would attempt to "produce the outcome and create some rapport in this six-party talk, not to discourage everyone".
Despite this, recent fears over claims that North Korea is assisting Syria with its own nuclear programme may cast a shadow over affairs. The new claims came after reports of air strikes carried out by the Israeli Air Force on desert areas within Syria - their target, unspecified.
With three days left for the current talks, Armed Forces International will continue to provide unrivalled coverage of the very latest news to emerge, as we get the facts.
Source - Armed Forces International's Far East Correspondent
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