US delegation head Christopher Hill said in Beijing on Tuesday evening that
this round of six-party talks on Korean Peninsula nuclear issue is "close to the
end."
Hill also expressed appreciation of China's good job in drafting the joint
document for the talks, saying the delegations would make a "final comment" on
the latest fourth draft on Wednesday. The negotiators "are really getting close,
close to the end of this round," he said.
"Whether we have a draft everyone agrees on, or whether it is decided that
there should be a recess of some kind, we don't know yet," said Hill. "Because
it all depends on what the responses all the delegations have on the draft."
Hill said he was satisfied with China's latest draft, saying though the other
sides may look at it differently, "it is a good draft" and a "negotiated
document."
Chief negotiators of the fourth round of six-party talks will continue their
meeting on Wednesday to discuss the fourth draft document, seeking a possible
agreement.
The open-ended fourth round of the six-party talks, involving China, the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the United States, the Republic of Korea,
Russia and Japan, will enter a record ninth day on Wednesday.