Six-party delegates return to the table

Analysts warned that a final deal was still far away as representatives gathered in Beijing
Wednesday for a resumption of the six-party talks on addressing North Korea's
nuclear ambitions, according to Reuters. The talks, which could last up to four days will focus on implementing a 2005
statement offering North
Korea economic and security compromises in
return for ending its nuclear weapons program. US Assistant Secretary of State
Christopher Hill said that fully implementing the 2005 agreement would be a real success. Pyongyang ignored international
warnings and carried its first nuclear test in October, prompting UN sanctions, which were endorsed by China.
However, with North Korea refusing to cooperate until Washington lifts banking restrictions it placed on the country, Teng Jianqun, deputy secretary-general of the
China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, said he was not optimistic about the talks.