North Korea nuclear talks falter

BEIJING, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Six-nation talks in Beijing aimed at disarming North Korea's nuclear weapons program faltered Sunday over North Korea's request for energy aid.

The talks were complicated after negotiators from the six nations met on a Chinese proposal regarding what North Korea would agree to do in return for economic aid, China's state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

The draft reportedly proposed halting work at nuclear sites in North Korea, including the Yongbyon reactor.

"It seems the chances to reach a joint statement are slim," said Russian representative Alexander Losyukov.

The six nations involved in the talks are China, Russia, the United States, North Korea, South Korea and Japan.