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Ministers set for N Korea talks Ministers set for N Korea talks
(about 13 hours later)
Foreign ministers from the six nations involved in talks aimed at disarming North Korea are to meet in Singapore on Wednesday, officials say. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has arrived in Singapore to attend a regional security forum that will focus on North Korea's nuclear programme.
It would be the first such meeting between top diplomats from Japan, the US, China, Russia, and the two Koreas since the nuclear talks began in 2003. She is expected to meet ministers from the six-nation talks aimed at disarming North Korea, including a rare encounter with her North Korean counterpart.
China described the meeting as "very significant", but the US said it would be an informal exchange of views.China described the meeting as "very significant", but the US said it would be an informal exchange of views.
It comes weeks after Pyongyang handed over data on its nuclear activities.It comes weeks after Pyongyang handed over data on its nuclear activities.
It will be the first such meeting between top diplomats from Japan, the US, China, Russia, and the two Koreas since the nuclear talks began in 2003.
North Korea agreed in February 2006 to end its nuclear programme in return for aid and diplomatic concessions.North Korea agreed in February 2006 to end its nuclear programme in return for aid and diplomatic concessions.
But the deal has faced numerous delays, and officials have yet to tackle the trickiest issues - such as how many nuclear weapons Pyongyang has and what should be done with them.But the deal has faced numerous delays, and officials have yet to tackle the trickiest issues - such as how many nuclear weapons Pyongyang has and what should be done with them.
'Consultation category''Consultation category'
The foreign ministers will meet on the sidelines of an annual Asia-Pacific regional meeting. NORTH KOREA NUCLEAR DEAL 2002: N Korea pulls out of previous deal after US accuses it of having secret uranium programmeOctober 2006: North Korea carries out its first test of a nuclear weaponFebruary 2007: N Korea agrees to end nuclear activities in return for aidJuly 2007: North Korea closes its Yongbyon nuclear reactor and allows IAEA inspectors inDecember 2007: N Korea misses a deadline to hand over a declaration of its nuclear workJune 2008: N Korea hands over nuclear programme details; US cautiously welcomes the move Why N Korea handed data overThe foreign ministers will meet on the sidelines of an annual Asia-Pacific regional meeting. NORTH KOREA NUCLEAR DEAL 2002: N Korea pulls out of previous deal after US accuses it of having secret uranium programmeOctober 2006: North Korea carries out its first test of a nuclear weaponFebruary 2007: N Korea agrees to end nuclear activities in return for aidJuly 2007: North Korea closes its Yongbyon nuclear reactor and allows IAEA inspectors inDecember 2007: N Korea misses a deadline to hand over a declaration of its nuclear workJune 2008: N Korea hands over nuclear programme details; US cautiously welcomes the move Why N Korea handed data over
"I think this will be very significant for advancing the spirit of the six-party talks," Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said."I think this will be very significant for advancing the spirit of the six-party talks," Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said.
But US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice played down the importance of what will be her first meeting with North Korean counterpart Pak Ui-chun. But Ms Rice played down the importance of what will be her first meeting with North Korean counterpart Pak Ui-chun.
"I wouldn't call it either historic, monumental or even consequential," she said on Monday. "I think it's really in the consultation category.""I wouldn't call it either historic, monumental or even consequential," she said on Monday. "I think it's really in the consultation category."
US nuclear negotiator Christopher Hill said the talks would probably focus on how to verify the information that North Korea handed over late last month.US nuclear negotiator Christopher Hill said the talks would probably focus on how to verify the information that North Korea handed over late last month.
The declaration, which was six months overdue, is thought to detail North Korea's plutonium production efforts.The declaration, which was six months overdue, is thought to detail North Korea's plutonium production efforts.
But it is not believed to address key issues such as an alleged uranium enrichment programme or alleged nuclear cooperation with Syria.But it is not believed to address key issues such as an alleged uranium enrichment programme or alleged nuclear cooperation with Syria.
If the information is verified the six nations must then discuss the final phase of the deal, under which North Korea must hand over all its nuclear material and put its nuclear facilities out of action for good.If the information is verified the six nations must then discuss the final phase of the deal, under which North Korea must hand over all its nuclear material and put its nuclear facilities out of action for good.
The BBC's South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head says Ms Rice's attendance at the Asean regional forum signifies a change of heart in US policy towards Asia.
For the first time the US has appointed a permanent ambassador to Asean and is also talking of establishing low-level military ties with its former foes in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos - countries where China has rapidly expanded its influence in recent years.