The six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue go into their fifth day today, with the sides still split over energy aid to North Korea in return for initial steps toward abandoning its nuclear program.

After one-on-one meetings, chief negotiators met together yesterday afternoon trying to reduce differences on a Chinese draft action plan, which includes the moves North Korea would take towards abandoning its nuclear program in return for economic aid and security guarantees.

Reportedly, the draft calls for work to be halted within two months at nuclear sites in North Korea, including the Yongbyon reactor, and for Pyongyang to be supplied with alternative energy sources.

Media reports have indicated that disputes over the compensation have reduced hopes of a swift agreement on implementing the joint statement of September 19, 2005.

Under the statement, Pyongyang would give up its nuclear program in exchange for economic aid and security guarantees.

However, US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, the chief US negotiator, called the current situation a "good sign."

"When you work on some issue, some other issue pops up. Nothing else has popped up and it's just one issue, so it's a good sign," Hill told the media, adding that China works hard "at critical moments."

Hill announced he had a bilateral meeting with Kim Kye-gwan, the top North Korean negotiator, yesterday morning, and that "the US side is waiting for North Korea's response".

Pyongyang has allegedly asked for a supply of heavy fuel oil, the freeing of its accounts at a Macao bank, and an international commitment to construct nuclear reactors for civilian use in return for the closure of the Yongbyon nuclear facility. In addition, it demands normalization of relations with Washington.

"North Korea is demanding too much on the compensation issue. It will be difficult to reach an agreement if it does not reconsider its demand," Japanese negotiator Kenichiro Sasae said.

Sasae remained pessimistic, calling the current situation "severe," adding the signs are "not optimistic" for an agreement to be reached.

South Korean chief negotiator Chun Yung-woo called it "unreasonable" to expect a breakthrough since further consultations will be held.

The current problem is not about the "scale" of the economic aid to North Korea, but concerned the actions North Korea would take to denuclearize, said Chun.

Qin Gang, spokesman for the Chinese delegation, told the press on Saturday evening that consensus was closer than before and that differences were being narrowed.  

(China Daily February 12, 2007)