North Korea and US Likely to Discuss BDA in Late January
It is reported that working-level finance talks between North Korea and the United States are likely to resume January 22 in New York to discuss Washington’s financial sanctions on the North’s accounts at BDA.
According to diplomatic sources, both sides are now considering a second session in New York in late January because they did not make tangible progress that was expected last week. US Deputy Assistant Treasury Secretary Daniel Glaser, and Oh Kwang-chol, the president of North Korea's Foreign Trade Bank, had a sideline meeting during the six-party nuclear talks in Beijing.
Another government source said that the venue for BDA discussions can be either in Beijing or in New York. Concerning the consecutive finance talks, North Korean top envoy Kim Gye-gwan mentioned at a news conference, “The matter was negotiated to hold the finance working-level meetings in late January.”
Diplomatic sources also commented on the next round of the six-party talks, saying, “We have not negotiated the next round and cannot make sure it will resume next month. Diplomatic schedules of each country and progress of the BDA issue between Pyongyang and Washington will be variables.”
According to the statement produced from the six-party talks last week, the six members agreed to resume at the earliest opportunity. Asked about the possibility, US top envoy Christopher Hill said, “We expect the talks will resume within a few weeks.”
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 / 입력시간: 2006. 12.26. 08:30
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