KEY POINTS:
BEIJING - North Korea returns to six-nation talks on its nuclear programme tomorrow after a 13-month break amid high hopes it may agree to give up its atomic ambitions, but analysts say this is a fantasy.
The United States, desperate for a foreign policy victory, has said it is aiming for North Korea to abandon its nuclear programme within two years.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stated the goal last week amid reports the United States would try to tempt North Korea with security guarantees, possible lifting of sanctions and other carrots.
The incentives and what North Korea must do in return will be the focus of the new round of talks - involving the two Koreas, the United States, host China, Japan and Russia - which first began in 2003.
North Korea's nuclear test in October led to United Nations sanctions against its regime.
- AFP
