美國特使離中國北韓核問題無進展 (US Envoy Leaving China Without Progress on North Korean Nuclear Issue)
中國官員與美國北韓核問題首席特使未能就導致北韓拖延廢除核計劃的財務糾紛取得進展。美國助理國務卿希爾星期四結束對北京為期兩天的訪問。希爾說,兩國正在盡最大努力,使北韓獲得從2005年以來因美國制裁被凍結在澳門一家銀行的2500萬美元的款項。希爾說,發放這筆款項是一個復雜的政府問題,他們也在與私營機構商談解決這個問題。
北韓已經錯過了在4月開始關閉其主要核反應堆的最后期限。北韓堅持說要必須先從這家澳門銀行拿到這筆款項。
Chinese officials and the top U.S. envoy on North Korea's nuclear program have failed to make progress on a financial dispute that is delaying North Korea's nuclear disarmament. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill wrapped up a two-day visit to Beijing Thursday. Hill said the countries are doing all they can to free up North Korea's money from a Macau bank , where it has been held since 2005 because of U.S. sanctions. He said the release of the funds is a complex governmental issue and that they are also talking with the private sector to resolve it.
North Korea missed an April deadline to begin closing its main nuclear facility, saying it must first have its 25 million dollars from the Macau bank.