9 November 2005 -- A fresh round of six-party talks on ending North Korea's nuclear program gets under way today in Beijing.
Officials from China, Japan, Russia, the United States, and the two Koreas will be trying to finalize a basis accord reached in the last round of talks in September.
That accord -- called a joint statement of principles -- said North Korea would abandon its nuclear weapons program in exchange for economic and political benefits.
Pyongyang agreed to give up its nuclear program in exchange for energy assistance and other benefits, but then demanded a civilian nuclear reactor as well.
Speaking yesterday, U.S. President George W. Bush urged patience in negotiations with North Korea.
(Reuters)