N Korea 'stands by nuclear deal'

North Korea has not changed its mind about ending its nuclear programme, leader Kim Jong-il has told a visiting Chinese diplomat.

Disagreements over implementing the deal could be overcome, the reclusive leader told top official Wang Jiarui.

North Korea agreed last year to abandon its nuclear activities in return for aid.

But progress came to a halt after North Korea missed a year-end deadline to disclose all of its nuclear facilities.

Wang Jiarui, head of the Chinese Communist Party's international liaison department, visited Pyongyang on Wednesday to press Mr Kim on the nuclear issue.

"The DPRK (North Korea) side's stance of advancing the six-party talks and implementing the various agreements jointly reached has not changed," China's official Xinhua news agency quoted Mr Kim as saying.

"The difficulties that have currently arisen are temporary and can be surmounted," he added.

Mr Wang also delivered a message from Chinese President Hu Jintao, the contents of which were not disclosed.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7219100.stm