2007年VOA标准英语-6 Nations Meet to Discuss Timetable for N. Kore

Delegates from six nations have gathered in Beijing to negotiate a timetable for North Korea to declare and dismantle¹ its nuclear programs. As Daniel Schearf reports from the Chinese capital, the meeting begins as the United Nations' top nuclear expert says North Korea has shut down more nuclear facilities.

Negotiators from North and South Korea, the U.S., China, Japan, and Russia are trying to set a schedule for the second phase of an agreement that requires North Korea to declare all its nuclear facilities and dismantle them.

Christopher Hill addresses reporters after lunch meeting in Beijing, 18 Jul 2007

"I think the DPRK has an incentive² to try to get moving onto this next phase because they would like to keep the fuel oil coming," he said. "And, we have a great incentive to move because it gets us beyond just shutdown to disablement."

North Korea has agreed to give up its nuclear programs in exchange for aid and diplomatic benefits.

The head of the United Nations nuclear agency, Mohamed ElBaradei, said Wednesday that Pyongyang has shut down five components³ at its Yongbyon nuclear complex.