Statement Attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General

The Secretary-General is pleased that the fourth round of the six-party talks on achieving denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula took place in Beijing in the spirit of mutual respect, and is encouraged that the participants were able to increase understanding and broaden the areas of consensus. The Secretary-General would like to pay special tribute to China as host of the talks, for its dedication and tireless efforts to facilitate progress.

The Secretary-General urges the Governments concerned to use the time before the round is resumed in three weeks to identify ways to reconcile their needs and concerns.