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N Korea talks enter crucial phase N Korea talks enter crucial phase
(about 6 hours later)
Delegates at six-party talks in Beijing have held a second day of negotiations on North Korea's nuclear programme.Delegates at six-party talks in Beijing have held a second day of negotiations on North Korea's nuclear programme.
They are discussing a draft agreement which reportedly calls on Pyongyang to shut down its nuclear facilities in the next two months, in exchange for aid.They are discussing a draft agreement which reportedly calls on Pyongyang to shut down its nuclear facilities in the next two months, in exchange for aid.
North Korean delegate Kim Kye-gwan said agreement had been reached on some points, but other issues remained. US and North Korean delegates said some progress had been made but that more needed to be done.
South Korea, China, Japan, Russia and the US are hoping to persuade the North to give up its nuclear programme.South Korea, China, Japan, Russia and the US are hoping to persuade the North to give up its nuclear programme.
Mr Kim was speaking after meeting US envoy Christopher Hill. Speaking to reporters after the talks, chief US negotiator Christopher Hill said discussions were inching forward.
"There are still differences on a series of issues in the overall talks, so we will try to work them out," Mr Kim said. "I think we have managed to get through what we thought were tough issues but nothing is agreed until everything is agreed so we must be very cautious," AFP news agency quoted him as saying.
Mr Hill said the draft agreement had been discussed by all parties on Friday. North Korean delegate Kim Kye-gwan echoed Mr Hill.
"Opinions were expressed around the room, sometimes divergent opinions on the Chinese draft," he said. "There are still differences on a series of issues in the overall talks, so we will try to work them out," he said.
'A long day''A long day'
Chinese officials drafted their outline plan after Pyongyang agreed to take initial steps towards disarmament.Chinese officials drafted their outline plan after Pyongyang agreed to take initial steps towards disarmament.
N KOREA NUCLEAR PROGRAMME Believed to have 'handful' of nuclear weaponsBut not thought to have any small enough to put in a missileCould try dropping from plane, though world watching closely Food shortage is key Text of September 2005 dealN KOREA NUCLEAR PROGRAMME Believed to have 'handful' of nuclear weaponsBut not thought to have any small enough to put in a missileCould try dropping from plane, though world watching closely Food shortage is key Text of September 2005 deal
The one-page plan reportedly involves calls for the shutting down of Pyongyang's plutonium-producing reactor at Yongbyon within two months and the return of international inspectors, in exchange for deliveries of fuel oil.The one-page plan reportedly involves calls for the shutting down of Pyongyang's plutonium-producing reactor at Yongbyon within two months and the return of international inspectors, in exchange for deliveries of fuel oil.
In return, the US and South Korea would provide oil and other aid within the same time-frame.In return, the US and South Korea would provide oil and other aid within the same time-frame.
The BBC's James Reynolds, in Beijing, says the fact the six parties are considering a draft agreement will be seen by many as a step forward.The BBC's James Reynolds, in Beijing, says the fact the six parties are considering a draft agreement will be seen by many as a step forward.
It is certainly a change from the last round of talks held in December, in which no progress was made at all, our correspondent says.It is certainly a change from the last round of talks held in December, in which no progress was made at all, our correspondent says.
OptimismOptimism
Part of the reason for the renewed optimism, after years of stop-start negotiations, is the progress made at recent talks between the US and North Korea in Berlin.Part of the reason for the renewed optimism, after years of stop-start negotiations, is the progress made at recent talks between the US and North Korea in Berlin.
Washington is reportedly showing an increased willingness to sit down and discuss North Korea's demands to lift financial sanctions.Washington is reportedly showing an increased willingness to sit down and discuss North Korea's demands to lift financial sanctions.
Meanwhile, North Korean officials recently told visiting US delegates that Pyongyang would take the first steps to disband its nuclear programme in return for 500,000 metric tons of fuel oil and other benefits.Meanwhile, North Korean officials recently told visiting US delegates that Pyongyang would take the first steps to disband its nuclear programme in return for 500,000 metric tons of fuel oil and other benefits.
Reports that the North is enduring a winter food crisis have emerged in recent weeks, a fact which is thought to have changed the dynamics in the run-up to the talks.Reports that the North is enduring a winter food crisis have emerged in recent weeks, a fact which is thought to have changed the dynamics in the run-up to the talks.