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Top North Korean negotiater Kim Kye-gwan (left) and his U.S. counterpart Christopher Hill
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With bilateral meetings underway, N.K., U.S. seek to resolve several major issues
The meetings underway in China’s capital represent the "second part" of the fifth round of six-party talks aimed at persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear program; the first part collapsed in November 2005. But what is being scrutinized as much as the main meetings themselves are the bilateral talks between North Korea and the U.S., particularly on Washington’s financial sanctions against Macau-based Banco Delta Asia. Pyongyang has called the removal of these sanctions a requirement to its making any moves. Both sets of meetings talks are seen as a tug-of-war between North Korean and U.S. interests, with experts saying it is too early to talk about possible outcomes. Moreover, North Korea has inexorably linked the subjects of the two sets of meetings, but the U.S. approaches each separately. Nevertheless, some sort of settlement for each discussion is a prerequisite for diplomatic success. Indeed, the progress each side makes this week will determine whether a solution of the international standoff over North Korea’s nuclear program is on the horizon.Such a multi-pronged approach resembles the North Korea-U.S. missile talks held during the Clinton administration. At that time, political negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington were consistently challenged by issue of North Korea’s missile program. The lack of progress at those talks was a factor in Washington’s decision not to send Clinton to Pyongyang. As a result, both sides missed an opportunity to normalize diplomatic ties. On December 20, China, the host of the six-party talks, briefly delayed a plenary session of chief negotiators and allowed North Korea and the U.S. to hold bilateral talks. The move was aimed at giving time for both sides to find a point of balance between the nuclear issue and financial sanctions. To find common ground to resolve the matters at hand, North Korea and the U.S. must understand each other. On December 18, North Korea’s main negotiator Kim Kye-gwan urged the U.S. to lift financial sanctions first, while the U.S. side insisted that North Korea give up its nuclear program first. Bilateral talks between North Korea and the U.S., which began December 19, will at first be a procedure to discern the results the two sides truly seek. Negotiators decided on December 20 to extend the talks until December 22. The working-level talks between North Korea and the U.S. dealing with the financial sanctions will reportedly resume in New York next month. Observers say this could be an auspicious sign that possibilities for headway are being opened. To see progress in the six-party talks, it is clear that the participants must find a solution to the financial sanctions issue, particularly those funds frozen at Banco Delta Asia. The only way to see this happen may be a classification of North Korean accounts there as "legal" and "illegal," with Macau’s financial authorities then lifting sanctions on legal accounts. U.S. authorities could then continue to investigate the illegal accounts. During the negotiation process, North Korea’s cooperation is necessary. And, of course, the U.S. may not recognize this process as a means to a quick solution. The U.S. may also want North Korea to sign a pact that it will not conduct illicit financial activities and will punish relevant officials. This may require further substantial discussion. Daniel Glaser, the U.S. deputy assistant secretary, pointed out that a long-term approach will be needed if discussions this time around prove productive. North Korea and the U.S. now stand at a crossroads, ready to take their first steps. Observers are waiting to see which direction each will choose. Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]