U.S. Relations with the People's Republic of China (2005)

U.S. Department of State

Resumption of Fourth Round of Six-Party Talks: Arrival China World Hotel

Christopher R. Hill, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs

Beijing, China
September 13, 2005

A/S HILL: Hi, how are you? It's nice to see you all. I just arrived here and will be beginning the talks in a few hours. I'll meet with the Chinese delegation in the middle of the afternoon and then we will begin the Six Party Talks just after that. I know a lot of you want to know how long you are going to be here. I know especially for Korean journalists it's tough because we've got some holidays coming up this weekend. I wish I could tell you how long we're going to be here. I'll certainly get a better idea of that when I have the opportunity to talk to the D.P.R.K. delegation.

We've all had some four weeks, actually more than four weeks, to look at the text -- to review the conversations of the thirteen days that we had at the end of July and the beginning of August. I know that my delegation is coming here to work. We know pretty precisely what the issues are. I hope the D.P.R.K. delegation has also done some homework and when they get here, when we talk to them, we'll know where we are. So, I can't really say much more than that at this point.

QUESTION: Will you have a bilateral meeting with the D.P.R.K. today?

A/S HILL: I will undoubtedly see them. We don't have any separate bilateral scheduled. I think I am seeing the head of the Chinese delegation at around 3:30 and then we begin the talks at 5:00. Then there's a dinner tonight. So, I assume at the dinner I'll have some opportunities for some bilateral discussions.

QUESTION: Has there been any progress before the talks in private exchanges with the North Koreans that make you more optimistic about this round?

A/S HILL: Well, there have been some discussions privately with the North Koreans. We've had two discussions within the New York channel. I can't say really that there has been progress. We certainly, I think, have a better idea of what there position is. Although, I must tell you that their position does seem to be evolving a little. So, I'm sort of reluctant to put too much emphasis in the discussions that have been carried on through the press or through various intermediaries. So, we'll have a much better idea about it tonight and tomorrow. So, better to meet with them then than to be speculating about it now.

QUESTION: Are you going home this weekend?

A/S HILL: If I were optimistic or pessimistic, it really wouldn't make much difference. The fact is that we've got to talk them and see where we are. Then we will get a better sense of where we are. Thank you very much.

(end transcript)