ASIA: China urged patience yesterday as the United States and its allies huddled to co-ordinate their positions on the eve of talks over North Korea's nuclear crisis.
North Korea and the US stand far apart ahead of the six-country talks in Beijing, which are a result of months of frantic diplomacy.
Washington demands the unconditional and verifiable scrapping of Pyongyang's nuclear programme before making concessions, while North Korea wants security guarantees before dismantling.
China, keen to keep the dispute from escalating into a destabilising conflict or a refugee crisis on its north-east flank, called for respect and calm from all sides after its chief negotiator, Vice-Foreign Minister Wang Yi, held separate meetings with the heads of each delegation yesterday.
As part of China's efforts to reassure North Korea its security fears will be addressed, Mr Wang said Beijing opposed pressure, sanctions or war. - (Reuters)
