Key points

    BEIJING, Sept. 20 -- The landmark agreement on resolving the nuclear stand-off on the Korean Peninsula announced yesterday in Beijing is a key, but first, step.

    In a joint statement, Pyongyang promised to abandon its nuclear programmes and rejoin international treaties on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, the first substantial result of the Six-Party Talks since they started more than two years ago.

From left to right: United States Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, Japanese delegation leader Kenichiro Sasae, Chinese Vice- Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, ROK Deputy Foreign Minister Song Min-soon, DPRK's chief negotiator Kim Gye-gwan and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alexeyev join hands at the close of the Six-Party Talks at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing Sept. 19. (Xinhua)

    The United States, on its part, reaffirmed that it has no nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula and has no intention of attacking or invading the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) with nuclear or conventional weapons.

    The breakthrough comes on the back of an amended draft put forward by China involving the DPRK's right to civilian nuclear programmes and a light-water nuclear reactor.

    Chinese State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan said yesterday that the joint statement is "a balanced, win-win and constructive document" which has a good deal of substantial content.

    The progress made at the talks reflects the political will of the six parties to resolve the issue through dialogue, said Tang.

A press conference is held following the end of the 4th round of the 6-party talks Sept. 19. (Xinhua)

    However, Tang anticipated difficulties in future talks, saying they would be "very arduous."

    Piao Jianyi, an expert on Korean Peninsula affairs, noted that the statement from Washington has realigned the political foundations between the DPRK and the United States.

    However, the agreement is preliminary and requires more rounds of negotiations to sort out issues like how to implement it, he pointed out.

    "They are simple words yet difficult to be put into practice," Piao said.

    The six nations - China, the DPRK, the United States, Republic of Korea (ROK), Russia and Japan - have decided to convene the fifth round of nuclear disarmament talks in early November in Beijing to discuss the details.

    The negotiations will face hurdles including the degree of inspections and the scope of any peaceful nuclear programme that Pyongyang is allowed to retain.

    But Piao said there is no reason to be pessimistic as the agreement marks the first time the two countries bridged their differences through peaceful means, a good starting point.

    It once again proved that nuclear issues on the Korean Peninsula should be dealt with through comprehensive negotiations aimed at addressing Pyongyang's full range of concerns, Piao said.

    "The joint statement is a package of solutions," he said.

    The United Sates and the DPRK pledged to respect each other's sovereignty and right to peaceful coexistence. Both Washington and Tokyo have promised to work towards normalization of relations with Pyongyang.

    The five nations have also promised to provide energy aid to the DPRK, and Seoul's pledge to supply up to 2 million kilowatts of electricity -a significant amount - to Pyongyang was highlighted in the accord.

    Piao said the agreement, which outlines the basic principles of any deal concerning politics, economy and security, would be legally binding on the signatory parties and will play an important role for a long time.

    The agreement also mentioned what had been the biggest sticking point in the fourth round of the talks the light water reactor by leaving it for discussion at "an appropriate time."

    Piao interpreted the "appropriate time" as when the DPRK completes what it has committed to in the agreement - drop all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes; get back to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and accept inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

    Pyongyang withdrew from the treaty and expelled inspectors in 2003 after the Untied States accused it of violating a previous agreement to end its nuclear programme.

    US chief delegate Christopher Hill said a verification regime was the next step when the fifth round of the talks start.

    "We are really going to be working very hard. The next stage is the implementation of this agreement. A key element will be a verification regime," he was quoted as saying.

(Source: China Daily)