Talks in Beijing between the United States, North Korea and China on North Korea's nuclear program ended on Friday morning, the official Xinhua news agency said. The report comes after new revelations about North Koreas nuclear programme emerged in Washington. Xinhua quoted a Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying the three sides "worked to seek a peaceful solution to the nuclear issue during the talks," but gave no further details.

It was not clear if or when further talks would be held.

Washington Accuses North Korea of Using 'Blackmail'

The alleged North Korean admission came as the first direct talks in months between the US and North Korea broke down a day ahead of schedule.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said "strong views" were expressed during the two days of talks in Beijing - which correspondents say is barely coded diplomatic parlance for a blazing row.

Wendy Sherman, a special adviser on North Korea to former US President Bill Clinton, warned that Pyongyang does not limit itself to making threats.

"North Korea turns threats into actions, so the stakes are very high," she said.

It is not clear exactly what the North Koreans said to the US delegation.

But sources from the Bush administration say the alleged North Korean claim to have nuclear weapons was not a shock as it merely confirmed US intelligence suspicions.

North Korea has not commented on the US claims, and has previously denied similar US reports.

Pyongyang is not believed to have carried out any nuclear tests. Such preliminary moves towards developing nuclear weapons could be detected by other countries.

The US believes Pyongyang has enough plutonium for one or two nuclear weapons.

The stand-off between the US and North Korea began six months ago - the last time a Washington official said Pyongyang had admitted to a nuclear weapons programme.

PHOTO CAPTION

North Korean negotiators drive past a Chinese military police guard at the gate of the North Korean embassy as they head to a second day of talks with U.S. and Chinese delegations in Beijing Thursday April 24, 2003. (AP Photo/Greg Baker)