US official confirms date for North Korea nuclear talks

SYDNEY (AFP) Aug 12, 2003
Six-nation talks aimed at resolving the North Korean nuclear arms crisis are due to begin in Beijing on August 27, US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said Tuesday.

Asked during a television interview if the United States had a probable date for the talks, Armitage said, "Yes we do, probably, starting around the 27th of this month in Beijing."

A Russian diplomat in Beijing earlier told AFP the talks would be held from August 27 to 29 at the vice ministerial level.

In a turnaround earlier this month North Korea agreed to the US proposal for the six-way talks on the crisis sparked by Pyongyang's decision to pursue a secret nuclear weapons program.

China, Japan, Russia and South Korea are also due to attend the talks.

The Australian Government has offered to help the United States check on North Korea's nuclear capabilities under any new disarmament deal.

Armitage, who has been meeting with Australian leaders in Canberra, also told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the United States had accepted an Australian offer to provide experts and help in any verification program concerning North Korea's weapons programs.

WAR.WIRE