Morning Walkthrough February 10

Remarks by Christopher R. Hill
Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs
Morning Walk-Through, St. Regis Hotel
Beijing, China – Six Party Talks
February 10, 2007


ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:  Well I’m just off to the Diaoyutai.  I have nothing to report.  We’ve hopeful that we can get through this [inaudible].  Yes?

QUESTION:  Do you have any indication that you are any closer to [inaudible] finalizing [inaudible]?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:  I’m sorry?

QUESTION:  Do you have any indication that you are any closer to finalizing–

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:   Well I think we’ll see the Chinese, and we’ll see how they’ve done.  As I’ve mentioned, we had some discussions about it last night.  It’s basically one of two items probably best described as one item.  It’s self-contained.  I don’t think it’s the most important issue, but, you know, the North Koreans – you never know what’s important.  We’ll have to see, but if we’d lived in a logical, rational world, we’d get through this.  

QUESTION: Ambassador Hill?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:   Yes.

QUESTION:  You said last night that the – the minor issue – it’s a little issue but it’s a big issue for the North Korean.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:   Yes.

QUESTION: And you can’t imagine it being a deal breaker.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:  Yes.

QUESTION: But if there’s no or little movement, would this be a deal breaker for you as well?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:  Oh, you mean… Well–  

QUESTION: The outstanding issue.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:   I think it causes a number of problems for a number of delegations.  So I think we have to find a resolution to it.  Let me put it that way.

QUESTION: And without getting into specific detail, is the specific wording – does it have to do with the future of the Yongbyon facility?  The outstanding issue?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:  Actually no.  That’s all I’m going to answer.  I really don’t want to play twenty questions on that.  Let me get out to the Diaoyutai and see where we are.  

QUESTION: Mr. Hill, [inaudible]

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:   I’m sorry?  

QUESTION: Any particular [inaudible]?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:  Well, yes.  When you freeze something it can thaw out.  You know, with global warming and all?  So, I’d prefer to use the term “shutdown.”

QUESTION: You mean they [inaudible]?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:  Well, I’m sorry?

QUESTION: You and Kim Gye Gwan.  

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:  Me and Kim Gye Gwan.  Yez? What about us?

QUESTION: Is there any agreement to [inaudible] ?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:  I think they – I think we’ve understood to use the word “shutdown,” because we’re going in one direction.  And again, we’re not looking to have to see this process reversed.  The process is supposed to lead in a very clear direction.

QUESTION: And if [inaudible] doesn’t start to [inaudible]?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:  I’m sorry?  Do I think if they don’t…?

QUESTION:  If they don’t start to dismantle the facility?  

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:  Again, I can just go back to the agreed – to the joint statement in the September ’05, which calls on them to abandon all nuclear programs and nuclear weapons programs.  They should [be] abandoning these things.  I think they know that.  And I think that’s why even a small step, let’s call [it an] initial action, is a big step -- because I think they understand the direction this is all going.  This is on the basis of a multilateral agreement, all of the neighbors.  I like to describe this as a good step, et cetera, but it’s also a very important step.  In fairness to the DPRK, I think they understand that.

QUESTION:  What’s your schedule today?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:  I’m going out to the Diaoyutai and hope I’ll come back.  I’m not sure, but I think we’ll let you know.

QUESTION:  Bilaterals?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:  I’m sure there will be a lot of bilateral meetings.  I don’t have any lunch plans though; ate too much yesterday.

QUESTION:  Have you seen a new draft of the statement from the Chinese since last night?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:  No, did you?  No, no we didn’t.  I don’t think there needs to be.  It’s down to a very small issue.  Again, I want to stress in these negotiations, you think you’re down to one thing or something and then something else comes up.  So it’s never over until it’s over, to use an old Chinese expression.

QUESTION:  Is the Japan-DPRK working group one of these sticky points?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:  I think we’re OK on working groups.

QUESTION:  How do you see the schedule for the next couple of days?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:  I have in mind an airplane ticket at some point; this shouldn’t go on too long.  I just don’t know.  I don’t know.

QUESTION:  If there is an agreement, then all six of you envoys would have a joint press conference?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:  The way the Chinese have done this in the past is we all meet in front of the press and we smile and shake hands.  I don’t recall we’re answering a lot of questions.  Probably we won’t do that.  Probably there will be a joint appearance at the Diaoyutai -- I’m just saying, if they continue with what they’ve done before.  But again, we can work all that out if we get an agreement.  I’m not too worried about it.  

OK, I’ve really got to get going, I’m kind of late.  See you later.
 
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