North Korea nuclear deal sealed

BEIJING, China (AP) -- Negotiators from six nations have agreed on steps to verify North Korea's nuclear disarmament, opening the final phase in tortuous efforts to rid the North of nuclear weapons.

The agreement was reached in Beijing Saturday after three days of talks. It calls for North Korea to finish disabling its biggest nuclear facility by the end of October while the United States, China and the other three parties complete promised deliveries of fuel oil and other economic aid.

Beyond that, the envoys agreed to a robust verification team of experts who will visit North Korean nuclear facilities, review documents and interview technical experts.

Earlier, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with negotiators, lauding their progress in three days of talks. "Thanks to the joint efforts of all parties concerned, we have made important and initial success, which has captured the attention of the world," he said at the start of their meeting Saturday at the state guesthouse.

The progress shows that the "talks are an effective platform for solving the Korean nuclear issue" and achieving regional stability, Yang said.

Verification could take weeks or even months, and the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush is believed to be eager to see North Korea disarmed before Bush leaves office in January.

Energy-starved North Korea was promised fuel aid equivalent to 1 million tons of oil under a February 2007 disarmament deal. Japan has opted out of contributing, citing a lack of progress by North Korea in resolving the issue of its abductions of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and '80s. North Korea has complained that countries involved in the talks have supplied only 40 percent of promised energy shipments.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

All About North Korea • South Korea • George W. Bush • Nuclear Weapons