Morning Walk-Through, St. Regis Hotel Beijing, China - April 15, 2007
Remarks by Christopher R. Hill
Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs
Morning Walk-Through, St. Regis Hotel
Beijing, China
April 15, 2007
ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: As you know, we had a lot of talks with the Chinese yesterday. We have agreed that we need to give this process another few days. I talked to some of my counterparts last night. I talked to Ken Sasae. I talked also to the South Koreans. We’re going to see how this process plays out, but clearly the situation now is for the DPRK to call up the IAEA and get going on their responsibilities. We are flexible; we’re reasonable. But it is time to get moving on that.
QUESTION: So basically everybody has agreed on giving them some time?
ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Yes, I think that was the consensus – to give them a little time. I can say that we have worked very hard. I know a number of delegations have worked very hard. I would like to see the DPRK now start working hard as well.
QUESTION: Have you set a precise deadline, and are you going to convey that to the North Koreans?
ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: No, because we have had a deadline. The deadline was sixty days. What we are trying to do is be a little flexible and work with our partners on what our preferred outcome is, which is to get the North Koreans to get on with the task of inviting the IAEA in and shutting down these nuclear facilities. We are not planning to issue any more deadlines. But I think the idea is that we will give this a few days and see how it goes.
QUESTION: And if those few days pass without any action from North Korea?
ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: I don’t answer questions that start with the word “if”, so I don’t know. We’ll obviously have to look at it.
QUESTION: Do you plan to contact with the Chinese before your departure?
ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: I think I’ll probably check with them before I go, yes. We’ve been in touch. I think we’ve been in touch with all parties now.
Right now it is Sunday morning, and I’m going to go out and see what the Great Wall of China looks like.
QUESTION: Is this your first time to the Wall?
ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: No, I’ve been there. I was there a couple of years ago.
QUESTION: Enjoy the trip to the Wall.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Thanks. See you later.
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