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'Deal reached' at N Korea talks | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Delegates at the six-party North Korea talks have reached a tentative deal, the US nuclear negotiator has said. | Delegates at the six-party North Korea talks have reached a tentative deal, the US nuclear negotiator has said. |
A "final text" outlining initial steps for disarming North Korea was now being referred to each government for approval, Christopher Hill said. | A "final text" outlining initial steps for disarming North Korea was now being referred to each government for approval, Christopher Hill said. |
His comments followed late-night meetings on what was meant to be the last day of the talks in Beijing. | His comments followed late-night meetings on what was meant to be the last day of the talks in Beijing. |
If approved, a deal would be a significant step forward in a process stalled since September 2005. | If approved, a deal would be a significant step forward in a process stalled since September 2005. |
There has been no comment from North Korea. | |
The BBC's Daniel Griffiths in Beijing says the deal has yet to be approved by the leaders of each country involved. | |
Even then it would only mark the first step in what is likely to be a very long, slow process with further delays almost inevitable, he says. | |
The current round of talks - aimed at persuading Pyongyang to give up its nuclear programme - began on Thursday with a renewed sense of optimism from all sides. | The current round of talks - aimed at persuading Pyongyang to give up its nuclear programme - began on Thursday with a renewed sense of optimism from all sides. |
But negotiations faltered over the amount of energy aid the North was demanding in exchange for disarming. | But negotiations faltered over the amount of energy aid the North was demanding in exchange for disarming. |
Reports suggest North Korea is seeking large-scale deliveries of heavy fuel oil in return for shutting down its Yongbyon nuclear reactor. | Reports suggest North Korea is seeking large-scale deliveries of heavy fuel oil in return for shutting down its Yongbyon nuclear reactor. |
'Final text' | 'Final text' |
The late-night discussions were described by a Chinese spokesman as "extraordinarily intense". | The late-night discussions were described by a Chinese spokesman as "extraordinarily intense". |
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 deal | 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 deal |
Mr Hill did not give any details of the potential deal, but said delegates had made a lot of progress. | Mr Hill did not give any details of the potential deal, but said delegates had made a lot of progress. |
"The Chinese side distributed a final text which will be referred to the capitals of the delegations," he told journalists. | "The Chinese side distributed a final text which will be referred to the capitals of the delegations," he told journalists. |
"We will have another meeting tomorrow and we will see if we can get it approved." | "We will have another meeting tomorrow and we will see if we can get it approved." |
Chinese and South Korean officials also indicated progress had been made and some key differences resolved at the meetings. | Chinese and South Korean officials also indicated progress had been made and some key differences resolved at the meetings. |
Negotiators from the six participating countries - North Korea, South Korea, Japan, the US, China and Russia - will reconvene on Tuesday morning for further discussions. | |
Earlier in the day, Mr Hill had urged North Korea to stop stalling and accept a deal. | Earlier in the day, Mr Hill had urged North Korea to stop stalling and accept a deal. |
"We have put everything on the table," he said. "They just need to make a decision." | "We have put everything on the table," he said. "They just need to make a decision." |
The stop-start six-nation negotiations have now been going on for more than three years, but little progress has been made. | The stop-start six-nation negotiations have now been going on for more than three years, but little progress has been made. |
The most recent deal, in September 2005, rapidly fell apart over differences between North Korea and the US over implementation. | The most recent deal, in September 2005, rapidly fell apart over differences between North Korea and the US over implementation. |
But the North Korean nuclear issue has become more pressing to the international community since Pyongyang conducted its first nuclear test in October. | But the North Korean nuclear issue has become more pressing to the international community since Pyongyang conducted its first nuclear test in October. |