Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov said in Washington Monday that the next round of six-way talks on the nuclear issue of the Korean peninsula may be held between Dec. 17th and 19th.

"Approximately 17th, 19th, but it would depend on how well the preparations would go," Losyukov told reporters after talks with US Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly.

Responding to questions from reporters, Losyukov said Russia favored the idea of providing security assurances to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in a bid to settle the nuclear issue.

"Such assurances must be given in an appropriate form. But what would the form be, it depends on negotiations," Losyukov said.

The Russian deputy foreign minister was here to consult with Kelly in preparations for the next round of six-way talks attended by China, the DPRK, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the United States.

Both Losyukov and Kelly took part in the first six-party talks held in Beijing, China, at the end of August.

Addressing a news briefing earlier on Monday, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the United States favored December for the next round of the six-party talks.

But he denied reports from Japanese and South Korean media that it has been basically agreed upon that the next round of talks will be held on Dec. 17-19.

"We hope the next round would take place in December, but there are no dates decided at this point," Boucher said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 25, 2003)