In a sign that the U.S. position was softening ahead of the planned resumption of talks, Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, the top U.S. negotiator, said on Tuesday the issue of the North having a civilian nuclear plan was a "theoretical, downstream" issue that would not break a deal. North Korea's insistence on the right to have a civilian nuclear programme was the key sticking point in the last round of talks, at which the parties failed to agree to a joint statement. U.S. officials have been sceptical about allowing North Korea to pursue a nuclear programme for energy production out of concern that it might be used for military purposes. --SP 1222 Local Time 0922 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/286270