Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=8/3/05

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=N. KOREA TALKS UPDATE (S/L)

NUMBER=2-326362

BYLINE=BENJAMIN SAND

DATELINE=BEIJING

///// UPDATES INTRO OF CR 2-326359, EXPECT UPDATE WITH TALKS CLOSE BY 1900 UT //////

HEADLINE: China Pushes To End Deadlock in North Korea Nuclear Talks

INTRO: China is trying to salvage stalled six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons programs. Chinese officials circulated a fourth draft of a proposed joint statement, but no agreement was reported during a late night session. VOA's Benjamin Sand reports from Beijing.

TEXT: After nine days of negotiations, some delegates said they felt the talks might be nearly over.

All six chief negotiators had been expected to discuss a new Chinese proposal for a joint statement. That meeting did not happen, but late in the day, some delegates were seen returning to the guesthouse where talks are being held.

Christopher Hill, the chief U.S. envoy to the talks, told reporters late Wednesday he believes the U.S. team has done nearly all it can.

/// HILL ACT ///

"I think we're really getting to the end of the negotiating process. I am not going to predict that it is over today or tomorrow but certainly I think we are getting to the end."

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Earlier, Mr. Hill said that if the impasse continues the negotiators should consider ending this round of talks and heading home for consultation.

/// REST OPT FOR LONG ///

The negotiations, which include North and South Korea, the United States, Russia, Japan and China, are aimed at persuading the Pyongyang government to give up its nuclear weapons program.

But delegates say the North Koreans seemed unwilling to compromise and have presented a growing list of demands.

Mr. Hill says the latest joint statement prepared by the Chinese offers the North Koreans a very good deal.

/// 2nd HILL ACT ///

"They can look forward to a brighter future, a more secure future, a more prosperous future, but they can't do it with nuclear weapons. They have got to get off that."

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The current fourth round of talks, which came after a break of more than a year, has been the longest since the six-party process began in 2003. (SIGNED)

NEB/HK/BS/mjc/KL/KBK/RAE