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Hopes for North Korea deal rise '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 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
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 (0230 GMT) for further discussions. 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.