CHINA:Delegates have gathered in the Chinese capital for the latest round of tortuous negotiations on North Korea's nuclear programme, with most envoys pessimistic about a speedy resolution to what are expected to be tough talks.
No one disputes that the stakes are high in the six-nation talks, attended by host China, the United States, both North and South Korea, Russia and Japan.
Tensions in north Asia were raised by North Korea's test explosion of a nuclear device in October.
December's talks ended in stalemate and envoys are increasingly weary at the idea of going over what seems to be increasingly entrenched positions.
Delegates held separate two- way meetings yesterday ahead of the arrival of the North Korean delegation which flies in this morning. The North Korean embassy in Beijing was a hive of activity yesterday afternoon, with much traffic in and out. Despite recent strains in their relationship, China remains Pyongyang's only significant ally.
On the positive side, there have been slight signs of a greater willingness to compromise since December - the US improved its offer for disarmament in exchange for security guarantees and energy assistance at a meeting in Berlin. North Korea described this development as positive.
"The big question is whether the North Koreans are really ready to make some progress," said US chief negotiator Christopher Hill as he left for Beijing.
"We did have some good signs in Berlin, but I think we also know that there is going to be some rather hard bargaining, so we'll see how we do."
Even North Korea, which believes the US plans to invade, has exhibited some small signs of willingness to compromise. The country's nuclear negotiator, Kim Kye Gwan, said Pyongyang wants to normalise relations with Washington, and also needs supplies of electricity or heavy fuel oil.
A South Korean newspaper reported that South Korea would resume rice and fertiliser aid to North Korea if the North freezes its nuclear facilities.
Japanese emissary Kenichiro Sasae called for the talks to produce "concrete steps", after a meeting with Chinese and Russian delegates. "Japan is prepared to play its part in the process."
Delegates are hopeful that the talks will lead to some agreement on a deal along the same lines as that struck in 2005, when North Korea agreed to give up its nuclear weapons in phases in return for the provision of energy and a guarantee that regime change would not be forced on the secretive Stalinist enclave.
North Korea abandoned the 2005 agreement after Washington imposed financial sanctions on a small, private bank in Macao, accusing it of laundering North Korean funds. The sanctions scared most banks away from dealing with North Korea.
Pyongyang wants these sanctions lifted before there is any deal on the nuclear programme.
One leading Chinese military expert warned that US military action against North Korea could spark a replay of the 1950-53 Korean War when China intervened on the North's behalf against American-led UN forces.
"It's one dangerous possibility. The Chinese government has been trying its best to avoid such a possibility," said Teng Jianqun, a retired People's Liberation Army officer and secretary general of the government-backed China Arms Control and Disarmament Association.