http://www1.chinadaily.com.cn/news/2003-04-24/113200.html

Korean nuclear talks under way

"...US Asia envoy James Kelly had a first round of low-key nuclear talks in Beijing with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Wednesday.

The negotiations, which also involved China as an active third party, marked the first direct dialogue since the crisis over the DPRK's nuclear programme erupted in October.

Kelly declined comment as he returned to his hotel in the afternoon after hours of talks inside the Diaoyutai State Guest House, a vast compound in western Beijing.

But the mere fact that negotiations were under way after six months of steadily deteriorating relations between Washington and Pyongyang was a good sign, analysts said.

"If they can agree that there will be another meeting, that in itself will be sufficient,'' said Brian Bridges, a Korea expert at Hong Kong's Lingnan University.

"If it can make both sides step back from the brink, that will be important,'' he said of the talks, scheduled to end tomorrow.

The DPRK negotiators were led by Li Gun, the foreign ministry's deputy director for US affairs and a former senior member of his country's delegation to the United Nations.

China was represented by Fu Ying, director of the foreign ministry's department of Asian affairs.

The nuclear crisis began in October after Kelly, after a visit to Pyongyang, accused the DPRK of harbouring a secret nuclear programme..."

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2003-04/24/content_846920.htm

Chinese FM, US Secretary of State talk over phone

BEIJING, April 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held a telephone conversation with the United States' Secretary of State Colin Powell Wednesday night, according to sources with the Foreign Ministry.

　　The two sides exchanged views on how to properly handle the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and both believed that the ongoing talks in Beijing was beneficial,the sources said.

Also check out:

http://new.globalfreepress.com/article.pl?sid=03/04/23/1531204

"Catastrophic" events imminent regarding North Korea: Russia

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/030423/1/3aaxu.html

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