China says North Korea nuclear talks delayed: officials

China on Monday informed South Korea that six-party talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear programmes, due to resume this week, have been postponed, officials said. "The Chinese side has notified that the six-party talks will not open on September 19," a South Korean foreign ministry official told AFP.
The official said host China had not given a new start date for the talks, at which the six parties had hoped to set a firm deadline for the disabling of North Korea's nuclear facilities, in line with a deal reached in February.
"The Chinese side said it would continue consultations with other parties about schedules for the talks," which involve the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States, the official said.
Foreign ministry officials in Seoul would not explain the reason for the delay and how long the talks could be postponed. A Beijing-based diplomat who asked not to be identified told AFP: "One of the parties is dragging its feet."