Comments to Reporters During Transit at Narita Airport

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: [inaudible] ... and suggested that we try to go forward with the Six-Party Talks as soon as possible. So I think the Chinese are going to meet with the other participants this week, and I would expect that maybe by the end of the week, we'll have a decision on when we can start the Six-Party process. So I think everyone's feeling kind of optimistic about starting the process early. And based on what we heard from the North Koreans in Berlin, we believe there is a basis for making some progress this time.

QUESTION:  In China, how about the Chinese government's response?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: I’m sorry?

QUESTION:  How about the Chinese government’s response in China?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: How did they respond?

QUESTION:  How does the Chinese government respond.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: To? Oh, well, they seemed rather satisfied that we had had this contact with the North Koreans. They felt that – I talked to them about the specifics of it; and so they were, I think the Chinese were pleased. And I think that they agree with us that this is a good time to proceed with setting a date for the Six-Party Talks.

QUESTION:   Another question: In Berlin, do you think that the North Korean's policy or the attitude has been changed?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Well, you know, we didn't negotiate. I mean, the negotiation takes place in the Six-Party Talks. So it's really, I think, too early to talk about whether it's changed or not. You know, I'm pleased they want to get back to the talks. I'm pleased we could agree on the need to get back to the talks. But I think once we get there and once we have some agreement within the talks, then I can better answer your question.

QUESTION:   North Korea conceded to you at some point?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: No, we had a discussion in Berlin. It was not a negotiation. The negotiation would take place in the Six-Party Talks. So we think we have the basis of a negotiation. In fact, we had hoped we’d be here last month, when we were in mid-December. And we proved to be wrong in December, because it was pretty – we did not achieve as much as we wanted. So I won't know until we actually meet in six parties.

QUESTION:  Last question sir, sorry. You mentioned that you had some reason to believe that the next Six-Party Talks might be helpful. What is some reason?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Well, again, I don't want to get into the specifics. What we're trying to do is implement the joint statement – the September joint statement – and we need some part of that statement implemented early on, in this next session. So based on the conversation, I think we have reason to believe we can achieve some negotiated outcome from the next Six-Party meeting. But I won't know until we sit down and all six parties are there.

We try to work very closely. We work very closely with the Japanese side. I work every day, I'm on the phone all the time with Kenichiro Sasae, and so let's hope that we can achieve something.

Thank you very much.