Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

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QUESTION: Do you have some information to add to the Mr. Armitage visit to Asia? I think he met with the Korean President today and tomorrow he will go to Beijing, but do you have more schedule and more details?

MR. REEKER: Mr. Armitage himself had some remarks. We would be happy to help you with the bits of transcript that we have. There was a statement released through our Embassy in Seoul regarding the visit of Deputy Secretary Armitage to Korea.

He arrived about midday today, obviously Seoul time. He is going to depart tomorrow morning. In Seoul, he met today with President Kim, National Security Advisor Yim, other officials from the Blue House, the Foreign Minister Mr. Choi, Defense Minister Lee, and also with General LaPorte, the Commander of US forces in Korea. Obviously he was accompanied in many of these meetings with our Ambassador to South Korea, Hubbard, and he met with Embassy staff as well.

I will just point you to the statement that he did release noting that he discussed a range of subjects, including the bilateral alliance with South Korea, the threat to the international community posed by Iraq and our shared approach to North Korea. The Deputy Secretary also discussed steps taken in response to the tragic deaths of the two young Koreans in June and our determination to avoid a recurrence of such an accident.

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QUESTION: On that same subject, while he was in Seoul, he was quoted as suggesting that it might be possible to modify the Status of Forces Agreement with South Korea.

MR. REEKER: I think the most important thing for you to do is read his statement so that you do not have to see what he was quoted as but read it, which said that he had noted in meetings this week between officials of both our governments, or that he had noted that meetings this week between officials of both our governments afford an important opportunity to review concrete ideas to improve the operation of the US-Republic of Korea Status of Forces Agreement. So looking at whatever can do to improve the operation of that agreement.

QUESTION: Not modify the text itself?

MR. REEKER: Let me just stick with the words that the Deputy Secretary used.

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QUESTION: Thank you. Last week, two North Korean defectors say that many North Koreans are suffering in hunger and tyranny in North Korea. Would you tell us what kind of specific solution the US have toward human rights in North Korea?

MR. REEKER: Well, I would refer you to our Human Rights Report, where we focus on those issues annually. It is appropriate that you asked that kind of question today, Human Rights Day, around the world.

I am not familiar with the specific reports that you cited, but certainly we have talked about the tragedy of North Korea in the human rights field and the fact that the people do not have enough to eat, that people are starving; that the Government of North Korea diverts its resources towards things like trying to develop nuclear weapons, enriching uranium -- instead of focusing its resources on feeding its people and giving a better life, a better future to the people of North Korea.

The United States has been the largest provider of food aid to the World Food Program under the United Nations' auspices in terms of helping to feed North Koreans -- some 155,000 metric tons in 2002. So it certainly is a tragedy that spelled out quite clearly our views. A number of international organizations have also reported on the human rights situation in North Korea.

QUESTION: There is rumor that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il saving lot of a mountain of money in the Swiss bank. Why don't you hear for the throw out the money and feeding their peoples?

MR. REEKER: I think those are excellent questions.

QUESTION: Why he ask other country for food or monies and provide it, and he make, he has nuclear weapons, then he develop nuclear weapons, and he using that money for that. Can you tell us what is situation in providing those --

MR. REEKER: No, I am afraid I cannot. I have not heard those particular rumors but I think the questions that you posed are perfectly reasonable questions to pose to the North Korean leadership. It reflects what I just said a few moments ago in answer to your earlier question in terms of allocation of resources, in terms of responsible government, in terms of providing for the people of a nation.

So I think those are good points to be brought up, but I am afraid your questions have to be directed at the leadership in North Korea.

Betsy?

QUESTION: Would you say that North Korea is another country that would benefit from regime change? (Laughter.)

MR. REEKER: I do not want to get into playing games. I think we have talked about what North Korea needs to do in terms of its nuclear weapons program. I think they need to discontinue -- immediately dismantle their program, which they have admitted to in terms of developing highly enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon. They need to do that immediately and verifiably, visibly. But obviously, a change in the way the people of North Korea live would be something that I think the people of North Korea would welcome, and those concerned about human rights around the world would also welcome.

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(The briefing was concluded at 1:55 p.m.)

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