Six nations in Beijing likely to negotiate a final draft
The six-party talks in Beijing on North Korean nuclear issues start to reach consensus on what first steps Pyongyang should take and how much fuel oil assistance can be offered in return on February 12.
It is reported that the six-party nuclear talks are struggling with the volume and timing of energy assistance in exchange for North Korea's first steps to dismantle its nuclear programs. A source said that the six nations, from now on, will continue having mutual meetings and three-party meetings to negotiate the volume and timing of energy aid.
However, it is said that the gap on the volume of oil assistance between the North and the other nations is wider than expected. Some analysts say that if they do not find a way of narrowing the gap, nobody knows how the talks will turn out.
It is said that the North has demanded more fuel oil than the five hundred thousand tons of heavy oil that the US and the North agreed on in 1994. The source said that it is far in excess of what Pyongyang agreed to under the defunct 1994 pact in Geneva.
Regarding the assertion from the North, the other nations say it is not reasonable, complaining that it is not easy to persuade the North to reconsider its excessive demand. However, some observers forecast that the talks could be easily reached by the nations and February 12 could be a last session for the talks.
In the event a revised draft is set and transfers to the North, Pyongyang has to decide whether it accepts it or not. If the six members fail to narrow the gap on the compensation issue during the session, the six parties will move on. However, the specifics with energy aid will be dealt with by working-level groups, not by this top envoy-level.
|
 / 입력시간: 2007. 02.13. 10:19
|
|
|
