DPRK puts forward proposal of complete stop of nuke plan

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, February 27, 2004

DPRK puts forward proposal of complete stop of nuke plan

The Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK) put forward a proposal of complete stop of nuclear program at the morning talks, a Chinese diplomat said Thursday in Beijing.

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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) put forward a proposal of complete stop of nuclear program at the morning talks, a Chinese diplomat said Thursday in Beijing.

Liu Jianchao, member of the Chinese delegation said this Thursday at a press briefing.

The DPRK made the proposal while the six parties were discussing the first-phase actions and relevant measures to realize a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, said Liu, also deputy director-general of the information department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

As for the detailed arrangement for stopping nuclear program, the parties concerned would have further discussions, he said.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi said discussion in Thursday's talks were "substantial". The differences were gradually narrowing and consensus was growing even though there were still different viewpoints.

Wang, also China's chief negotiator at the talks, urged all parties to "keep patience, show flexibility and overcome difficulties so as to push forward the talks".

DPRK agrees to abolish nuclear weapons program, says Russian negotiator

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) agreed to abolish its nuclear weapons program while retaining its peaceful nuclear program, according to Russian chief negotiator Alexander Losiukov Thursday in Beijing.

Losiukov said the DPRK agreed to abolish its nuclear weapons program on the precondition that the United States gave a assurance of non-aggression and respect for DPRK sovereignty.

It was an important result of the first-day talks between the six sides, which began here Wednesday between the DPRK, the United States, China, Russia, the Republic of Korea and Japan, he said.

The second-day talks focused on specific steps to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and there were still some disagreements, he said, adding the first-day talks were pragmatic.

While the United States, Japan and the ROK insisted that the DPRK eliminate all its nuclear programs, Russia and China said the DPRK should abolish its nuclear weapons program, but it would be difficult to scrap its nuclear program for peaceful purpose as the DPRK had not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), he said.

he six sides also discussed the signing of a document. The Russian side hoped that the DPRK would clearly state in the document that it would abolish its nuclear weapons program, and the United States should make clear the security assurance to the DPRK, said Losiukov.

Discussions of six-party talks are in-depth, substantial

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said that six parties had in-depth and substantial discussions at their second plenary session of the six-party talks.

Zhang said the discussions, which lasted from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30p.m. Thursday, mainly focused on the detailed measures for the realization of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, but she declined to give further details.

She said the Chinese side has been in consultation with all parties on the issues and the parties concerned were also discussing the possibility of reaching consensus.

But whether the consensus could be defined in written form still depends on the processing of the talks and all the parties' efforts, she said.

Zhang described the attitude of all sides at two days' meeting as "constructive, pragmatic and calm".

Zhang said the parties have all shown certain flexibility in resolving problems and keeping substantial discussions.

Since good preparation have been made prior to the talks, the parties all have clear understanding of the goals of the talks as well as the key problems and principles to be discussed at the talks, she said.

It is predictable that differences existed on certain issues, she said. As long as the six parties have common aspiration and show political wisdom, certain consensus will be achieved, she said.

By People's Daily Online

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