North Korea and US held their first one-on-one consultation Wednesday afternoon on settling the nuclear issue in the Korean Peninsula.

 

It is the first consultation between the two parties since the fourth round of six-party talks was resumed on Tuesday in Beijing after a five-week recess.

 

The first phase of the talks got stuck on August 7 as North Korea insisted on the right to have a civilian nuclear program while US wanted full dismantlement of its nuclear program.

 

Chief US negotiator Christopher Hill said in Beijing Wednesday morning it is possible to reach an agreement for the six-party talks, but detailed differences remain ahead.

 

"We consider the fourth draft to be a very excellent basis for reaching the goals of principles that will guide us to the eventual agreement," said Hill when he left his hotel.

 

"Though we don't have any strong problems with the fourth draft, how North Korea reacts to the fourth draft is something we have to see today," said Hill.

 

The six parties, China, North Korea, US, South Korea, Russia and Japan, have decided to fix on "substantial discussion" on Wednesday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 14, 2005)