N. Korea talks may end without agreement
(AP)
Updated: 2005-08-03 07:11

Unlike previous negotiations where delegates failed to agree on a joint statement after meetings lasting about three days each, this round had no time limit for concluding.

U.S. officials said in late 2002 that the North admitted violating a 1994 deal by embarking on a secret uranium enrichment program, sparking the latest nuclear crisis. Three previous rounds of six-nation arms talks since 2003 — between China, Japan, Russia, the United States and the two Koreas — have failed to make any breakthroughs.

The North doesn't want to give up its nuclear program without receiving anything first, while Washington is wary of Pyongyang's promises and instead wants to see the weapons verifiably eliminated before giving any rewards.

In February, the North claimed it had nuclear weapons and has since taken steps that would allow it to harvest more plutonium for possible use in bombs. Many experts believe the North already has enough weapons-grade material for about a half-dozen atomic weapons.

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