Top US nuclear negotiator Christopher Hill arrived in Beijing on
Monday, aiming to push the denuclearization process of the Korean
peninsula.
If North Korea prepares to give a complete and correct
declaration, the United States "can work on timing and sequencing",
Hill told reporters after meeting with some Chinese officials.
"I'm not too concerned about the sequencing of their obligations
and our obligations," Hill said. "I think there are ways to deal
with the sequencing. I think the real problem is they have not been
willing to provide a complete and correct declaration."
As to a potential meeting with any representatives from North
Korea, Hill said nothing has been set up but he wanted to know
whether they were interested in planning such a meeting.
Hill said he may meet and discuss with his Chinese counterpart,
Wu Dawei, who is not in China, later this month in Japan.
The envoy's visit comes ahead of US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice's trip to China, South Korea and Japan from Feb.
23 to Feb. 28.
Earlier this month, the United States said it was ready to open
full diplomatic ties with North Korea if it completely gives up its
nuclear weapons and programs.
The six-party talks held in Beijing last February
reached a nuclear deal, where North Korea agreed to disable its
nuclear reactor and declare all nuclear programs and facilities by
the end of last year to pave the way for dismantlement. However,
North Korea missed the deadline, although there was reported
progress in its nuclear declaration.
The United States has stressed North Korea would not be taken
off the list of "state sponsors of terrorism" until it has made a
full declaration of its nuclear activities.
(Xinhua News Agency February 19, 2008)
