The working group meeting on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is "very important," top US negotiator to the six-party talks Christopher Hill said Friday.

 

The working group on the denuclearization will start its first meeting Saturday morning in the Chinese capital.

 

We will discuss the nuclear programs (in North Korea) and will begin to discuss the declaration (of North Korean nuclear programs) that would be made sometime in the second phase, Hill said.

 

North Korea should fulfill its obligations including completion of declaration of its nuclear programs so as to get energy aid, he told reporters when he returned to his hotel.

 

When briefing about the energy working group meeting held Thursday, Hill said they discussed the provision of fuel oil to North Korea during the second phase, which he said will start from the next day after the 60-day first phase expires.

 

He said the northeast Asia peace and security working group discussion which was held Friday was "very good."

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2007)