US ends nuclear talks with North Korea
Friday, 03 Oct 2008 12:25
US negotiator on North Korea's nuclear programme ends talks in Pyongyang
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The chief US negotiator on
North Korea's nuclear programme has ended talks in Pyongyang aimed at salvaging a nuclear disarmament deal.
Christopher Hill has been in North Korea since Wednesday for talks aimed at agreeing a deal that would allow monitors to check future claims about Pyongyang's nuclear programme in exchange for better trading ties and international standing.
Initial reports suggested Mr Hill would offer a compromise after an initial deal fell through and North Korea began restarting its plutonium programme.
Washington, however, denied that any new proposals would be offered during the negotiations.
US state department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters on Thursday: "Chris was not going to Pyongyang with any new proposals regarding the substance of the verification regime."
Pyongyang has been in negotiations with the US, China, Japan, Russia and South Korea for many years over its nuclear plans.
A deal was agreed in February 2007 to begin dismantling nuclear facilities but after disagreements over the removal of North Korea for the US list of states sponsoring terrorism, Pyongyang backed out of the deal and began restarting the nuclear plants.
Mr Hill's visit came as speculation increased over the health of North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong-il.
Earlier today, he entered into South Korea and is expected to brief local officials and a Japanese nuclear envoy later.