ACCESSION
NUMBER:352358
FILE ID:EPF103
DATE:07/11/94
1ITLE:CONGRESSIONAL REPORT, JULY 11 (07/11/94)
TEXT:*94071103.EPF
*EPF103 07/11/94
CONGRESSIONAL REPORT, JULY 11
(Hamilton/NKorea transition) (590)
Rep. Lee Hamilton (Democrat of Indiana) is chairman of the House Foreign
Affairs Committee.
Following are excerpts from his interview on July 11 talk show:
(begin excerpts from Legi-Slate)
KIM JONG-IL IN NORTH KOREA
HAMILTON: The power seems to be moving in his direction. The transition
thus far at least seems to be running fairly smoothly. So, it looks as if
he will become the leader. They are referring to him by the title, "His
Excellency." That's the title they applied to his father. And so, it
looks as if he's beginning to consolidate power. But we'll know more,
later today, after their meetings.
He's had almost no contact with foreign leaders. He didn't see, for
example, former President Carter when he was there. I think, only rarely
has he traveled out of the country. So, we have not much to measure this
man by. We have had some unsettling reports about him, but we're operating
on very skimpy evidence here.
There have been indications that he's liked the fast life, that he has been
very, very close to the more militant factions in North Korea. But I don't
think we should jump to any conclusions at this point.
U.S. INTELLIGENCE ABOUT NKOREA VERY POOR
HAMILTON: It's very poor. This is the most isolated country in the world.
We've had almost no contact with its leadership.
ENCOURAGING THAT THEY'RE WILLING TO PROCEED
HAMILTON: I think that's encouraging that they're indicating a willingness
to proceed. It's important to keep in mind here, I think, that our
fundamental interests have not changed. We still want to see the nuclear
weapons program contained and rolled back. Those interests of ours are
exactly the same as they were, and we have to push ahead. So long as we're
able to verify what they are doing in their nuclear program, I don't think
a delay is going to hurt us.
NORTH KOREA-SOUTH KOREA TALKS
HAMILTON: Those were scheduled, I think, for the 25th of this month. We'll
just have to wait and see what develops there. From our standpoint, it's
important that both sets of talks go forward -- the North-South talks, as
well as our talks with North Korea, and I think we expect them to at this
point.
We should strengthen our deterrent capabilities in South Korea, but we ought
not to do it in a provocative way. I think what's required at the moment
is a very steady hand -- and that means that we take our seat at the table
and tell them we're ready to negotiate whenever they've gone through the
period of mourning, that we continue to strengthen the military deterrents,
but not do it in a very blatant, provocative way, and we must have -- leave
no doubt in their mind what our bottom line is with regard to the
negotiations.
G-7 SUMMIT
HAMILTON: I think it was a good meeting. What impresses me most of all
about these meetings now is they have become quite routine -- and that's
very good. There was no great dramatic development there. The economies
of the major countries are moving in the right direction.
I think, in many ways, the most immediate impact may very well be with
respect to Bosnia. We are approaching a very critical point on Bosnia, and
the next few days are going to determine, I think, whether you move towards
1eace or war there. And the key now is whether the Bosnian Serbs will
accept this proposal.
(end excerpts)
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