US head of delegation James Kelly for the third round of six-party talks on the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula said in Beijing Tuesday that there is "no particular reason to be optimistic" but he has "prepared for serious discussions."

Kelly, US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, made the remarks upon his arrival at the Beijing Capital International Airport.

The third round of six-party talks will begin on Wednesday in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, which also hosted the first two rounds of such talks.

(Xinhua News Agency June 23, 2004)