Russian delegation head Alexander Alexeyev said yesterday the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue is unlikely to be solved within a short period of time as it has been an issue for years.  

"The problems have accumulated over the years, no matter how wishful you are or how serious the problem is, it could not be solved within three or five days," Alexeyev told a press briefing.

The US and North Korean delegations held three-hour one-on-one consultations on Thursday morning and agreed to continue consultations.

Describing the US-North Korea consultations as difficult, Alexeyev said "it is the first time for both sides to speak so deeply," adding that "they are tough, but they could be more flexible."

According to Alexeyev, the fourth round of six-party talks is not the final round.

(Xinhua News Agency July 29, 2005)