President Roh to Leave For US Sunday
2003-05-10
President Roh Moo-hyun and U.S. President George Bush are expected to adopt a joint statement at the end of their summit meeting scheduled for May 14 that reaffirms a resolve to prevent North Korea from possessing nuclear weapons under any circumstances, presidential aides said on Friday (May 9).
The two heads of state will also agree to join forces to peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear row through diplomatic means, a Cheong Wa Dae official said.
President Roh will embark on his visit to the United States Sunday for the summit talks with Bush to discuss the lingering standoff over North Korean nuclear weapons program and other issues of mutual interests.
They will sit face-to-face for an exclusive summit meeting at the White House, to be followed by extended talks and the announcement of joint declaration.
Roh and Bush plan to hold a brief joint press conference and engage in a question-and-answer session for about five minutes before they start the talks.
The summit will last for about 40 minutes at the Oval Office of the White House with four members from each side and accompanying staff in attendance.
The timeframe for the talks will be flexible depending on the meeting atmosphere and the heads of state, given the cases in the past, a Cheong Wa Dae official said.
Roh and Bush will continue the summit meeting in the “Old Family Dining Room” over dinner, which will last for about one hour. Roh and Bush will deliver brief speeches before offering toasts.
The dinner meeting will be attended by seven ranking officials from each side, including Senior National Security Advisor Ra Jong-il and Bush's chief secretary Andrew Card.
Wrapping up the summit talks, Roh and Bush will adopt the joint declaration resolving that they will join efforts to solidify the alliance between Seoul and Washington and strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.
A Cheong Wa Dae official explained that although Roh's visit will be a “working visit,” Roh will be treated in a manner tantamount to a state visit.
Roh will stay at the U.S. state guesthouse, “Blair House,” and will attend a dinner hosted by President Bush. Former President Kim Dae-jung's visit to the U.S. did not include such a dinner event.
Source : www.korea.net
