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US and N Korea discuss sanctions US and N Korea discuss sanctions
(30 minutes later)
US and North Korean officials have met to discuss US financial sanctions imposed against Pyongyang.US and North Korean officials have met to discuss US financial sanctions imposed against Pyongyang.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear programme, in Beijing.The meeting was held on the sidelines of six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear programme, in Beijing.
Pyongyang walked out of the talks 13 months ago in protest at the sanctions, and has demanded they be lifted if progress is to be made on negotiations.Pyongyang walked out of the talks 13 months ago in protest at the sanctions, and has demanded they be lifted if progress is to be made on negotiations.
The US imposed financial restrictions last year accusing Pyongyang of money-laundering and counterfeiting. The US imposed the restrictions after accusing Pyongyang of involvement in money-laundering and counterfeiting.
Chief US negotiator Christopher Hill said there had been no progress on the first day of talks on Monday.Chief US negotiator Christopher Hill said there had been no progress on the first day of talks on Monday.
And he has warned that Washington's patience with North Korea is running out.And he has warned that Washington's patience with North Korea is running out.
North Korea on Monday it would not consider halting its nuclear programme unless both the US financial restrictions and later UN sanctions - imposed after its nuclear test in October - were lifted. North Korea on Monday said it would not consider halting its nuclear programme unless both the US financial restrictions and later UN sanctions - imposed after its nuclear test in October - were lifted.
N KOREA NUCLEAR PROGRAMME Believed to have 'handful' of nuclear weaponsBut not thought to have any small enough to put in a missileCould try dropping from plane, though world watching closely Low hopes for talks Text of September 2005 deal China press optimisticN KOREA NUCLEAR PROGRAMME Believed to have 'handful' of nuclear weaponsBut not thought to have any small enough to put in a missileCould try dropping from plane, though world watching closely Low hopes for talks Text of September 2005 deal China press optimistic
Envoy Kim Kye-gwan said Pyongyang was unconcerned that other countries did not accept its newly demonstrated nuclear status.Envoy Kim Kye-gwan said Pyongyang was unconcerned that other countries did not accept its newly demonstrated nuclear status.
But Mr Hill, the US assistant secretary of state, said the impoverished state had much to lose if the talks failed.But Mr Hill, the US assistant secretary of state, said the impoverished state had much to lose if the talks failed.
"They should come to it in a mood of trying to reach a deal. North Korea needs schools, health stations, roads, airports. They need a lot of things."They should come to it in a mood of trying to reach a deal. North Korea needs schools, health stations, roads, airports. They need a lot of things.
"They need food, electricity. They don't need nuclear weapons," he said, suggesting the North may alter its demands in coming days, when negotiators break into smaller meetings."They need food, electricity. They don't need nuclear weapons," he said, suggesting the North may alter its demands in coming days, when negotiators break into smaller meetings.
North Korea walked out of the last round of talks in November 2005 in protest the US blacklisting of a Macau-based bank which held $24m of the regime's money. North Korea walked out of the last round of talks in November 2005 in protest at the US' decision to blacklist a Macau-based bank, which held $24m of the regime's money. The US accused Pyongyang of involvement in the counterfeiting of US dollars.
The US accused Pyongyang of involvement in the counterfeiting of US dollars.
Two months earlier, in September 2005, Pyongyang had agreed to abandon its nuclear programme in return for US security guarantees and aid in a deal that was hailed as historic at the time.Two months earlier, in September 2005, Pyongyang had agreed to abandon its nuclear programme in return for US security guarantees and aid in a deal that was hailed as historic at the time.
North Korea agreed to return to the talks - with the US, China, Japan, Russia and South Korea - after carrying out its nuclear test on 9 October.North Korea agreed to return to the talks - with the US, China, Japan, Russia and South Korea - after carrying out its nuclear test on 9 October.
The test was followed by international condemnation and sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council.The test was followed by international condemnation and sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council.