Comments to Reporters at Narita Airport

QUESTION: What do you expect in the talks with China?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Well, I haven't briefed the Chinese yet on my discussions in Berlin with the North Koreans, so I'm going to talk to the Chinese about that, talk to them about what we discussed, and then what I plan to do is to see when the Chinese would like to attempt the Six-Party meeting [inaudible]. As I've said on several occasions, we’d like to do it as soon as possible, so we have to see what the Chinese [inaudible].

QUESTION: Are you confident that you can set the exact date for the Six-Party Talks?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Well, I don't think I can set the exact date because I think the Chinese do this by consensus, and they need to check with the other participants. But I will give several dates that would be okay for us, and then I think the Chinese will also be talking to other participants. We do this very democratically, so we have to work this out among all six.

QUESTION: And when are you going back from Beijing? And when is your next visit here?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Well, I think what I'll do from Beijing is go back to Washington. I've got to brief Washington, too. So I'll leave for Washington tomorrow morning, and what I would hope is that I'll come back as soon as we can get the Six-Party Talks going. So it should be soon.

QUESTION: Washington Post said that North Korea has proposed to you their own idea – is this right?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Sorry?

QUESTION: Washington Post said that North Korea has proposed their own idea to you in Berlin.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: No, we had a discussion. I gave them some ideas, they gave me some ideas. It was not a negotiation. Negotiation takes place in the Six-Party context. So it was a very useful discussion. I've said so on many occasions. We really had a good discussion on substance as well -- on really, actually, what are the elements of the September statement that we can try to move forward on. So, it was a very useful discussion.

Okay? I’ve got to catch my plane, otherwise I’ll be in Tokyo for another day, and I’ll miss Beijing.

QUESTION:  That’s nice. Tokyo is a nice place, too.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: It’s a great place.

QUESTION: The talks about the financial issue is going to be set earlier than the Six-Party Talks?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Well, you know, we’ve been talking about doing that the week of the 22nd, so it might be a little earlier. I’m just not sure at this point.

QUESTION:  And the place? Where is it?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: I think we’ve got to work that out, but it’s no problem. We’ll figure out a solution about it.

Okay?

QUESTION:  Thank you.