VOA标准英语2008年-North Korean Nuclear Negotiations to Resume Thi（在线收听）

Talks on ending North Korea's nuclear programs are to resume this week in Beijing, after being on hold since last year. Negotiations are expected to focus on efforts to verify the dismantling of North Korea's declared nuclear facilities and Pyongyang's demands for aid. Daniel Schearf reports from Beijing.

China's Foreign Ministry says negotiators from six nations will meet Thursday to discuss North Korea's nuclear weapons programs.

Negotiations have been on hold for the past nine months, while North Korea was preparing a declaration of its nuclear facilities. It submitted the declaration last month.

In return, the United States is removing North Korea from a list of states that sponsor terrorism and is lifting some sanctions against the reclusive nation.
　
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang

A spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, Qin Gang, said Tuesday the talks have been scheduled for three days, but could go longer if more progress is made.

He says they hope the delegations achieve progress and the talks will be beneficial to pushing forward to the next stage of negotiations.

North Korea agreed to give up its nuclear ambitions, in return for aid, security guarantees and diplomatic incentives.

In a dramatic gesture, Pyongyang invited the international media to cover its June destruction of a cooling tower at its Yongbyon nuclear complex.

This week's talks, however, are likely to face problems. Washington says Pyongyang has several nuclear bombs and a secret uranium enrichment program, but North Korea did not include either in its declaration.

Pyongyang is demanding it receive promised aid and diplomatic incentives before it dismantles any more facilities.

The other parties to the six-nation talks are China, South Korea, Russia, and Japan.