The six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons programs will resume in Beijing on Thursday. The coming round comes amid reported signs that both the United States and North Korea may be ready to make some compromise. But optimism is not warranted. In the 3 1/2 years since the six-party talks started in August 2003, North Korea has pushed forward with its nuclear weapons programs. It detonated its nuclear explosive device Oct. 9 following the test-firing of ballistic missiles in July. The parties to the talks need to do their utmost to agree on the first concrete step in a process that will eventually lead to North Korea's abandoning its nuclear weapons.
"The Military Balance 2007," published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, states that North Korea already has enough plutonium for five to 10 weapons. Under a September 2005 six-party agreement, North Korea promised to end its nuclear weapons programs in return for security guarantees and economic and energy aid. Pyongyang is urged to clarify whether it is willing to give up its nuclear weapons programs.
The last round of the six-party talks held in Beijing in December did not produce a tangible result. This time, flexibility is seen on the part of both the U.S. and North Korea. Early in January, U.S. and North Korean negotiators met in Berlin for three days -- the first bilateral meeting outside Beijing under the Bush administration. Later in January, U.S. and North Korean financial officials met in Beijing to discuss U.S. financial sanctions against the North. The U.S. side described the meeting as "very productive." The North may be feeling the effects of United Nations sanctions slapped against it after its nuclear weapons test. It also faces serious food shortages. On the other hand, the U.S. has its hands full with a worsening situation in Iraq.