Chief negotiators to the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue are still at a meeting Sunday morning, and they may decide whether to take a recess as the marathon negotiation inched into the 13th day.

 

Wu Dawei, head of the Chinese delegation, is scheduled to meet the press after the meeting, according to the press center of the talks.

 

Russian chief delegate Alexander Alexeyev said Saturday evening that the delegates to the fourth round of would take a two-week recess after the plenary meeting Sunday morning.

 

A recess did not mean the current round of talks achieved no progress, he said.

 

Alexeyev described the current talks as "fruitful" since all sides reached unprecedented understanding and a common vision on many issues, thanks to the excellent organization and diplomatic efforts by China, the host, and the efforts by the other parties.

 

He hoped the recess would provide a "very good chance" for the six parties to adopt a joint document to continue the talks and realize the goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

 

Japanese chief negotiator Kenichiro Sasae also said Saturday evening that all parties concerned were discussing on the recess of the talks.

 

China, North Korea and the United States held one-on-one meetings Saturday.

 

US chief negotiator Christopher Hill told reporters Saturday evening that the US side is "very interested" in reaching an agreement and had worked very hard with the Chinese and other delegations.

 

"We have options, but one of the options we do not have is the option of simply walking away," he said.

 

The fourth round of six-party talks started on July 26 after a 13-month lapse. The last round of talks was held in Beijing in June 2004.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 7, 2005)