Head of the United States delegation for the six-party talks said here Monday evening that he is looking forward to direct and fair exchange of views in the coming talks on the Korean nuclear issue, due to begin on Wednesday.

"I am looking forward to direct and fair exchanges of views," said James Kelly, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs of the United States, upon his arrival in Beijing.

"I am very happy to be back to Beijing ... and we have worked for a long time with Chinese friends to have multilateral talks," Kelly said.

Russian, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and Japanese delegations arrived here earlier on Monday. The delegation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will come to Beijing Tuesday morning.
 
(Xinhua News Agency August 26, 2003)