A joint document may come out Saturday from the ongoing
six-party talks on Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, chief Russian
negotiator Alexander Alexeyev said Friday afternoon.
"We have a chance to get a joint document of principles
tomorrow," Alexeyev told reporters in the Russian Embassy in
Beijing.
North Korea demands a right to peaceful nuclear power or
programs, and other states do respect this right, he said.
"It is a common understanding, of course, that first all nuclear
weapons and all the existing nuclear programs should be banned," he
said.
When asked if Russia has shown an interest in providing a
light-water reactor to North Korea, Alexeyev said "I never said
this."
China put forward a revised draft of a common document at the
delegation heads' meeting Friday afternoon, asking for a reply
before Saturday afternoon.
Alexeyev said the joint document covers North Korea's right to
civilian nuclear programs and a light-water reactor.
" From my point of view, the main goal of the six parties is to
achieve the dismantlement of all nuclear programs and weapons,"
Alexeyev added. "This (point) is achieved and definitely and
clearly said in the document."
The draft common document presented by China "is acceptable to
all parties," Alexeyev said.
Alexeyev also disclosed that if by tomorrow afternoon the joint
document is not passed, a recess will be announced.
"We should wait patiently until tomorrow," Alexeyev said.
The six parties, China, North Korea, the United States, South
Korea, Russia and Japan, resumed the fourth round of talks in the
Chinese capital Tuesday after a five-week recess.
The first three rounds of six-party talks ended
inconclusively.
(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2005)