U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill arrived in
Beijing on Monday evening to discuss the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear
issue with Chinese officials.
???
Upon arrival, Hill said that he came to the Chinese capital at the
request of U.S. President George W. Bush and Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice to further discussions with Chinese
officials.
???
The six-party talks "need to be prepared very well", and the visit
"is a part of the process", said Hill.
???
Hill is the chief U.S. negotiator at the six-party talks, which aim
to resolve the Korean peninsula nuclear issue. Prior to the Beijing
trip, he predicted that the six-party talks were likely to resume
in early December.
The Chinese government announced at the end of October that
China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the
United States had agreed to return to the talks at a time
convenient to the six parties.
???
The talks have remained stalled since the last round meeting in
Beijing last November which ended with a chairman's statement, in
which the parties agreed to resume talks as soon as possible.
(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2006)