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US, N Korea seek to improve ties US and N Korea upbeat over talks
(about 3 hours later)
Top envoys from the US and North Korea are meeting in Geneva to discuss ways of normalising relations. Envoys from the US and North Korea have expressed optimism after a first day of talks on normalising relations.
The talks follow a deal promising aid and diplomatic benefits if North Korea disables its nuclear programme. It has already shut down a plutonium reactor. US negotiator Christopher Hill said the two sides had reached a degree of understanding on the way forward.
The US is expected to seek assurances that North Korea is not also involved in uranium enrichment, which can also be used as the basis for nuclear bombs. His North Korean counterpart said he expected a fruitful outcome when the talks in Geneva conclude on Sunday.
North Korea wants to be removed from the US list of terrorism sponsors. They follow a deal promising aid and diplomatic benefits if North Korea disables its nuclear programme. It has already shut down a plutonium reactor.
Analysts say the two sides are still far from resolving their differences. Speaking after the first day of talks, Mr Hill said the two sides had reached a "substantial understanding", although there was still "a long way to go".
Arriving in Geneva, US chief nuclear envoy Christopher Hill said progress was needed on the issue of uranium enrichment. Washington is pressing Pyongyang to declare the full range of its nuclear capabilities, under the terms of the agreement reached in February, and to disable the Yongbyon nuclear reactor it shut down in July.
It makes no sense to shut off the plutonium programme if they have a clandestine uranium enrichment programme Christopher Hill US chief nuclear envoy
"We know that the North Koreans bought some equipment, that it is very much consistent with a uranium enrichment programme.
"Uranium enrichment is the other way to making a bomb, it's the way that many countries have chosen to do so, rather than the plutonium programme.
"So we need to be sure that the North Koreans are not doing this because it makes no sense to shut off the plutonium programme if they have a clandestine uranium enrichment programme," Mr Hill said.
'Terms unclear'
The BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington says the Geneva meeting is a sign of progress, but it may take years to achieve the goal of normalising relations.
FEBRUARY DEAL N Korea to "shut down and seal" Yongbyon reactor, then disable all nuclear facilitiesIn return, will be given 1m tons of heavy fuel oilN Korea to invite IAEA back to monitor dealUnder earlier 2005 deal, N Korea agreed to end nuclear programme and return to non-proliferation treatyN Korea's demand for light water reactor to be discussed at "appropriate time" Q&A: N Korea stand-off Timeline: Nuclear crisisFEBRUARY DEAL N Korea to "shut down and seal" Yongbyon reactor, then disable all nuclear facilitiesIn return, will be given 1m tons of heavy fuel oilN Korea to invite IAEA back to monitor dealUnder earlier 2005 deal, N Korea agreed to end nuclear programme and return to non-proliferation treatyN Korea's demand for light water reactor to be discussed at "appropriate time" Q&A: N Korea stand-off Timeline: Nuclear crisis
For his part, North Korean negotiator Kim Kye-gwan said he expected the meeting would "have a fruitful result".
The BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington says the Geneva meeting is a sign of progress, but it may take years to achieve the goal of normalising relations.
Observers suggest Washington seems prepared to remove North Korea from its list of countries backing terrorism, but it has yet to make its conditions clear.Observers suggest Washington seems prepared to remove North Korea from its list of countries backing terrorism, but it has yet to make its conditions clear.
North Korea has already shut down its main nuclear reactor at Yongbyon following the deal in February, but it has still not declared all of its nuclear activities.North Korea has already shut down its main nuclear reactor at Yongbyon following the deal in February, but it has still not declared all of its nuclear activities.
The Geneva talks this weekend are part of an international talks process involving six nations - the others being Russia, Japan, China and South Korea.The Geneva talks this weekend are part of an international talks process involving six nations - the others being Russia, Japan, China and South Korea.
On arrival, chief North Korean negotiator Kim Kye-gwan expressed hope the meeting would be positive, Reuters reported.
In addition to issues of nuclear disclosure, Japan is refusing to supply energy and aid until a dispute over the abduction of Japanese nationals by North Korean agents during the 1970s and 1980s is resolved.In addition to issues of nuclear disclosure, Japan is refusing to supply energy and aid until a dispute over the abduction of Japanese nationals by North Korean agents during the 1970s and 1980s is resolved.