National News Diplomats from six nations gather to discuss N. Korea's nuclear program

フレームで見る  英文をプリントする  脚注をプリントする

BEIJING (AP) - Hoping for a breakthrough, diplomats from six nations convened in the Chinese capital Aug. 27 for talks to resolve East Asia's most urgent security concern - North Korea's nuclear program and demands by the United States that it stand down immediately.

China, the host country, called for a "calm and patient attitude" for the meetings, put together after months of intense diplomacy.

The six countries participating in the talks are China, the United States, North Korea, South Korea, Russia and Japan.

All six have a stake in the outcome - even beyond wanting to keep the isolated communist North from becoming a nuclear threat. South Korea wants to clear an obstruction from its policy of reconciliation with Pyongyang. Japan seeks progress on the issue of Japanese citizens kidnapped by the North during the Cold War.

China hopes to avoid being dragged into a conflict between its longtime ally, North Korea, and a vital trading partner, the United States. Pyongyang, faced with economic collapse, wants security guarantees and more food and humanitarian aid.

6ヵ国協議が北京で開幕

北朝鮮の核開発問題をめぐる日本、米国、韓国、中国、ロシア、北朝鮮の6ヵ国協議が8月27日、北京の釣魚台国賓館で始まった。

Shukan ST: Sept. 5, 2003

(C) All rights reserved