The six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula
nuclear issue ended in Beijing Friday with all parties agreeing on
a next round of negotiation, but without the crucial disarmament
deadline.
Delegates set a date in early September for another round of
six-party talks whilst the five working groups will?meet at
the end of August to discuss technical details over dismantling the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea's nuclear programs.
Wu Dawei, head of the Chinese delegation to the six-party talks,
representing the other five parties -- Japan, Russia, the United
States, the DPRK and the Republic of Korea (ROK), released a
chairman's statement concluding the two-and-half day session.
The parties reiterated their desire and determination to
"earnestly fulfill their commitments" in the landmark Sept. 2005
Joint Statement and the Feb. 13 agreement brokered this year. The
latter is seen as a key step in implementing the 2005 statement,
read the press communique.
It says the DPRK once again stood firmly committed to "declaring
all nuclear programs and disabling all existing nuclear facilities.
In return, the DPRK will receive economic, energy and humanitarian
assistance up to the equivalent of 950,000 tons of heavy fuel
oil.
All parties promised to fulfill their respective obligations as
listed in the Joint Statement and February agreement in
line?with the principles of "action for action", stated the
communique.
(Xinhua News Agency July 20, 2007)
