DATE=7/30/1999 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=COHEN / NORTH KOREA MISSILE (L-ONLY) NUMBER=2-252324 BYLINE=HYUN-SUNG KHANG DATELINE=SEOUL INTERNET=YES CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-S Defense Secretary, William Cohen has warned North Korea must choose between confrontation and cooperation. His remarks came at the end of his visit to Asia and against expectations the isolationist North is planning a missile launch before the end of the year. From the South Korean capital, Seoul, Hyun- Sung Khang reports. TEXT: According to the U-S Defense Secretary, North Korea is at a crossroads. Mr. Cohen declared Pyongyang could take advantage of economic and political opportunities from cooperating with the United States, South Korea and Japan. Alternatively, he says it could launch a new missile. He characterizes the choice as one between confrontation over cooperation and isolation over integration. Mr. Cohen made his statement against fevered speculation in Asia and Washington North Korea is planning to test launch another missile -- which experts fear might have a range that could hit parts of the U-S mainland. In talks Friday with his South Korean counterpart, Cho Sung-Tse, Mr. Cohen said aid to famine-stricken North Korea would be cut if the isolationist country goes ahead with another missile launch. Last August, Pyongyang's launched its first missile, which it said was an attempt to place a satellite into orbit. North Korea has responded to Mr. Cohen's visit to the region by asserting any missile launch would be within its sovereign rights. The U-S defense secretary's visit to Asia included meetings with the leaders of South Korean and Japan. Following the talks, Mr. Cohen said Japan, South Korea and the United States plan to coordinate their actions in case of any hostile move by the North. He urged the three countries to present a united front. NEB/HSK/GC / wd 30-Jul-1999 05:15 AM LOC (30-Jul-1999 0915 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
