This photograph provided by the Metropolitan Opera, shows a scene from "The First Emperor," during the final dress rehearsal Monday, Dec. 18, 2006, in New York. The new opera by composer-conductor Tan Dun, is set in the ancient court of Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of China, and had its world premiere Thursday night Dec. 21, 2006, at The Met. (AP Photo/Metropolitan Opera, Ken Howard)



Six-party talks face “Significant Obstacle”

The New York Times reported that the six-party talks over the North Korean nuclear programs face a significant obstacle due to the opposing stances between Washington and Pyongyang.

The newspaper quoted a diplomat, “Concerning the matter, both sides sharply disagreed over whether relaxing an American-led crackdown on the Pyongyang regime’s financial transactions should be part of the six-party talks for the North’s nuclear dismantlement.”

One day ahead of closing the talks, Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill said to the press, “North Korean negotiators were determined to link the two issues of America’s financial sanctions on the North and its nuclear disarmament, and that the United States is equally determined not to.” He stressed, “We don’t want to make a core issue fail during these talks because of the issue of financial sanctions.”

Hill’s explanation sounded more pessimistic. The Times reported that some analysts and other diplomats confirmed that, because Pyongyang conducted its nuclear tests, they will not give up becoming a nuclear weapon-possessing country. They forecast “The goal of these talks would gain more time or draw attention from its largest allied nation, China.”

Most domestic analysts back up the assertion, confirming, “Pyongyang won’t proceed with the discussion of dismantling their nuclear program if Washington’s financial restrictions aren’t lifted.” However, the Times introduced a possibility that the North can dismantle its nuclear program in return for generous financial aid from the US.
/ 입력시간: 2006. 12.23. 08:22