| President Bush has authorized $25 million in | | | | neither optimistic nor pessimistic about this |
| energy aid to North Korea, providing up to | | | | stage of the discussions. But he added that |
| 50,000 tons of heavy fuel oil. | | | | the participants have the political will to |
| | | | reach an agreement. |
| White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said | | | | |
| Friday this aid is in response to North | | | | China was expected to issue a draft action |
| Korea's progress on reporting and disabling | | | | plan today setting out the disarmament steps |
| its existing nuclear facilities. | | | | Pyongyang should take by the end of the year. |
| | | | |
| Talks are underway in Beijing among China, | | | | Speaking to reporters Friday before heading |
| the United States, Japan, North and South | | | | into the second day of talks, U.S. Assistant |
| Korea and Russia on how Pyongyang should | | | | Secretary of State Christopher Hill said the |
| proceed in disabling its nuclear facilities. | | | | six parties had yet to agree on the |
| | | | definition of disablement. |
| North Korea agreed last February to abandon | | | | |
| its nuclear program in exchange for fuel and | | | | The talks are scheduled to end Sunday. |
| political concessions. It has already shut | | | | |
| down its main nuclear facility at Yongbyon, | | | | North Korea tested a nuclear weapon last |
| and has said it would describe all of its | | | | year. |
| nuclear activities by the end of the year. | | | | |
| | | | Some information for this report was provided |
| Meanwhile, South Korea's top negotiator, Chun | | | | by AFP. |
| Yung-woo, said at the talks that he is | | | | |