China, US discuss DPRK nuclear issue

cctv.com 12-10-2003 09:33

Pushing forward diplomatic efforts to resolve the nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula is one of the many topics of Premier Wen Jiabao's meeting with George W. Bush. Analysts believe the meeting will facilitate a new round of multilateral diplomacy.

Premier Wen Jiabao's meeting with President Bush comes a week before a new round of six-party talks are hoped to take place -- aiming to dissolve the tension between Washington and Pyongyang. It's been widely expected the talks would begin on December 17, four months after the first round.

But recently this has been thrown into doubt. A South Korean official warned against being overly optimistic about an early resumption of the talks. As Chinese and American leaders met in Washington, analysts see their face-to-face exchange as an important move in pushing forward with the talks.

Vice President of China Institute of International Studies Ruan Zongze said: "There're suspicions the talks might postpone till next year. So it's timely and important for Wen to exchange views with the US leaders. And hopefully, they can agree to start the talks before long."

Early this month, delegates from three of the six parties: the US, South Korea, and Japan worked out a package proposal. After the meeting, a US official denied that the negotiation process was deadlocked.

Deputy spokesman of US State Department J. Adam Ereli said: "We support an early resumption of the talks, and we're optimistic that the next round can be taking place in the near future."

Prior to his visit to the White House on Tuesday, Premier Wen Jiabao expressed optimism. He said: "The DPRK has made it clear that possessing nuclear weapons is not its main objective. The U.S. has also said that they have no plan to invade Pyongyang or change its regime. So I think the positions of the two countries are getting closer."

A Chinese spokesman says that diplomatic efforts to convene another six-party talks are being intensified.

Spokesman of Chinese Foreign Ministry Liu Jianchao said: "China is in close contact with all parties concerned. The emphasis is to collect and integrate a consensus in an effort to find a common basis acceptable to all sides."

Despite these efforts, gaping differences still separate the DPRK and the US. Pyongyang is seeking a security assurance from Washington, but Washington is demanding that Pyongyang drop its nuclear programme first. Analysts say the impasse needs more than a day's work to unlock and that the key may lie in the meeting between the Chinese and American leaders.

Piao Jianyi from China Academy of Social Sciences said: "The visit is an opportunity for the two major powers to coordinate their stands within the six-party talks framework. It's too much to expect a major breakthrough out of this short trip. But the meetings are likely to set the tone for the long term."

Observers are not really optimistic that a new round of multilateral talks will begin later this month. But they say it's premature at this stage to rule out the possibility. Obviously a lot of hope is riding on the substance of Wen Jiabao's talks with US leaders.

Editor:Su  Source:CCTV.com