The US top negotiator to the six-party talks said Saturday that the six nations will have discussions on a joint document and expect to reach agreement.

 

"We will have a lot of discussion about the text, and see if we can come to some agreement today," said Christopher Hill, head of the US delegation, on Saturday when he left his hotel.

 

"Even though the text will be brief, it will be rather important," said Hill. "It means a lot to the six parties concerned."

 

"But I want to let you know it will take a while and can not be finished within a day," said Hill. "This is a very difficult negotiation."

 

The parties concerned are expected to work for drafting a joint document at the meeting of delegation heads, said Japanese delegation head Kenichiro Sasae on Saturday.

 

The delegation heads will meet again on Saturday morning, according to the information from the press center.

 

When asked about the schedule of the US delegation on Saturday, Hill said there will be more bilateral meetings.

 

The delegations of the US and North Korea, two major parties in the talks, agreed Friday to hold another bilateral meeting on Saturday. Japan is yet to have bilateral meeting plan on Saturday.

 

The fourth round of the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue entered the fifth day on Saturday, longer than the previous three rounds.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2005)