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Further Reading

DATE=1/16/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244266
TITLE=NORTH KOREA TALKS (L ONLY)
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA 
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO: THE UNITED STATES AND NORTH KOREA HAVE BEGUN TWO DAYS OF 
CRUCIAL TALKS TO DISCUSS AMERICAN CONCERNS REGARDING A NORTH 
KOREAN UNDERGROUND SITE IT SUSPECTS MAY BE A NUCLEAR FACILITY.  
LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA SAYS THE NEGOTIATIONS PRECEDE FOUR-PARTY 
PEACE TALKS NEXT WEEK AMONG NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA, THE UNITED 
STATES AND CHINA.     
TEXT: THE UNITED STATES IS CONCERNED NORTH KOREA MAY BE 
REACTIVATING ITS NUCLEAR BOMB-BUILDING PROGRAM.  IT WANTS TO 
VISIT A HUGE UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION SITE NEAR YONGBYON TO SEE 
IF ITS FEARS ARE JUSTIFIED.  THE SITE IS AT A SOVIET-ERA NUCLEAR 
POWER PLANT, WHICH WAS CLOSED DOWN UNDER A 1994 AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE U-S AND NORTH KOREA.  
UNDER THAT ACCORD, NORTH KOREA AGREED TO FREEZE ITS NUCLEAR 
PROGRAM IN RETURN FOR FIVE BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF FREE FUEL AND
SAFER NUCLEAR POWER REACTORS.  NORTH KOREA CALLS THE U-S DEMAND 
INSULTING.  TO COMPENSATE FOR THIS SUPPOSED INSULT, NORTH KOREA 
SAYS IT WILL ALLOW THE U-S TO VISIT THE UNDERGROUND SITE ONE TIME
ONLY IN RETURN FOR A 300-MILLION DOLLAR ENTRY FEE. THE U-S HAS 
REJECTED THE DEMAND.  
THE RHETORIC LEADING UP TO THE GENEVA TALKS HAS BEEN AT A HIGH 
PITCH.  NORTH KOREA HAS THREATENED TO ABANDON THE 1994 NUCLEAR 
AGREEMENT ALTOGETHER IF THE U-S CONTINUES TO MAKE AN ISSUE OVER 
THE UNDERGROUND SITE AND FAILS TO KEEP ITS END OF THE DEAL. NORTH
KOREA ACCUSES THE U-S OF NOT FAITHFULLY IMPLEMENTING THE 
AGREEMENT.  
THE U-S NEGOTIATING TEAM WARNS NORTH KOREA IT HAS TO SETTLE THE 
ISSUE QUICKLY.  OTHERWISE, IT SAYS THE U-S CONGRESS, WHICH MEETS 
MAY FIRST TO REVIEW THE AGREEMENT, MIGHT CUT OFF FUNDING FOR 
NORTH KOREAN HEAVY FUEL OIL.  
/// REST OPT///  LATEST REPORTS OUT OF NORTH KOREA INDICATE A 
CERTAIN FLEXIBILITY MAY BE CREEPING INTO THE GOVERNMENT'S 
POSITION.  A NORTH KOREAN SPOKESMAN HAS SUGGESTED THAT IN LIEU OF
PAYING 300 MILLION DOLLARS TO VISIT THE SITE, THE U-S COULD GRANT
ECONOMIC BENEFITS TO THE COUNTRY TO THAT AMOUNT.  
NORTH KOREA IS SUFFERING WIDESPREAD FOOD SHORTAGES AND IS IN 
DESPERATE NEED OF INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE. (SIGNED) 
NEB/LS/DW/GE
16-Jan-99 8:09 AM EST (1309 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.