Remarks to the Media in JapanChristopher R. Hill, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific AffairsOkura Hotel Tokyo, Japan February 20, 2008 QUESTION: How was your meeting with Wu Dawei?
ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: I don't really have any details for you, just that I briefed him on my meeting with Kim Kye-gwan and my meeting in Seoul. And we talked about how we can get through the second phase, and we talked a little about what are the elements for the third phase and how that could be set up. I also briefed him on the issues that Secretary Rice would be interested in discussing. So I think in that regard we are kind of teed up and ready for Secretary Rice's trip back to the region. So tomorrow I'll have several meetings at the Japanese Foreign Ministry, and then I'll get on the plane and get moving. QUESTION: Did you discuss the timing of the next Six-Party Talks? ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: No, we didn't talk about the timing of the next Six-Party Talks, because we were talking about the fact that we will be together in Seoul next Sunday and then will also be together in Beijing next Monday night or Tuesday. QUESTION: You mentioned that Secretary Rice will be meeting with all the parties of the Six-Party Talks. Does that include the North Koreans? ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: No. Thank you for parsing that statement and seeing the inaccuracy there. No, she will just be meeting with China, Japan, and the ROK. QUESTION: Was there any progress in the meeting with Mr. Wu Dawei? ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Well, you know, we weren't really looking to measure progress, except that it was a good discussion, and we're trying to think what can be done to get through this second phase. And so I think it was an encouraging meeting. But we'll see. We're not there yet. QUESTION: About the Chinese proposal? Are you generally in agreement on how to move forward with that? ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Well, you know, the Chinese want to make progress and so do we. But we've made very clear that we cannot accept something that is not complete and not correct. That’s what the October agreement calls for, and I think the Chinese understand that. So we have to have complete and correct, and within that context there's not a lot of room for creativity. But certainly we can talk about how we might accomplish that. Again, I don't want to get into specifics at this point. QUESTION: Is there any gap in between the U.S. and the Chinese? 2 ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: I think we're okay with the Chinese. They have some ideas about how to proceed. But it really will come down to what the North Koreans are prepared to say in their declaration, and we're not sure yet. I certainly spend a lot of time explaining to the North Koreans why we need complete and correct. And if we get that, we're prepared to move ahead on our other elements. QUESTION: Is that what you’ll be speaking about with the Japanese? ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Oh sure, yes, absolutely. Of course this is the first time that I will see Saiki-san in this context. So I will welcome him to the Six-Party process. QUESTION: Have you met Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, Chinese State Councilor? ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: No, I did not. Just Wu Dawei. And he had just flown in from London, which is an eleven-hour flight, so he was tired. QUESTION: Was it just by chance that you met him here though? Was there anything pressing that you just had to meet him? ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Well, I wanted to meet him because we were preparing for Secretary Rice’s visit next week. And in trying to schedule that, the only way to meet him was in Tokyo -- because I couldn't be in Beijing tomorrow because I have to be in Los Angeles tomorrow. So this is how we did it. All right, thank you very much. See you later. Released on February 20, 2008 |
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