U.S. Envoy Expects Korea Nuke Talks Soon

BEIJING - The U.S. envoy to North Korean nuclear talks said Monday a fresh round of negotiations is expected soon and he believed there was "a basis for making progress" at the coming meeting.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, speaking after talks with his Chinese counterpart, said the U.S. side was disappointed by the lack of progress during the last round of six-party disarmament talks in December.

Nevertheless, Hill said he and his counterpart, Wu Dawei "agreed on the need to try to get the six party talks (started) as soon as possible."

"We hope that the Chinese government will be able to announce soon the start up of the talks," he said.