US Congressmen Tom Lantos and James A. Leach said here Saturday that they anticipate an agreement on principles during the next stage of the fourth round of six-party talks to be resumed in mid September.

The goal of the talks is to reach an agreement on principles, Lantos said at a press conference held in the US Embassy in Beijing.

"The agreement on principles keeps the dialogue open. We are not going to expect by mid-September a resolution of all outstanding issues between the five parties and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)," he said.

The basic message that they tried to get through to the DPRK isthat the talks are not what he called "a zero-sum game," said Lantos, adding that he hoped the DPRK should have sufficient flexibility, wisdom and creativity to grasp the six-party talks asa potential for a win-win situation.

Lantos said there is not a millimeter of difference between theUS administration and Congress on their approach to the six-party talks and their policy toward the DPRK is anything but hostile.

The press conference was held after Lantos and Leach had a four-day visit to the DPRK where they met with the country's high-ranking officials to stress bipartisan support for the successful conclusion of the six-party talks.

Lantos characterized the visit as taking place in a dramatically more peaceful and constructive climate than his visitto the country in January this year.

Source: Xinhua