Although this week's preparatory talks between the United States, North Korea, South Korea, and China did not reach agreement on an agenda for four-party peace talks, they were cordial and productive, according to a senior U.S. official speaking on background. We agreed that the plenary meeting would take place approximately six weeks after we reached agreement on all the details during the preparatory meeting. The four-party preparatory talks are scheduled to resume the week of September 15 in New York, the official said. The meeting was historic, but its goals limited. The officials were to set a date, time, place and agenda for substantive negotiations.
Diplomats are never more cautious than when they speak about North Korea.
Expectations for the real talks are decidedly low, progress will certainly be slow. An official North Korean broadcast monitored in Tokyo says conclusion of a peace agreement with the United States and the withdrawal of U-S troops are the key to peace. It says the withdrawal should be an agenda item and such issues cannot be settled with South Korea. It says without such issues there is no reason to hold the talks. U-S state department spokesman James Rubin says there remains significant disagreement over a general versus specific agenda.