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28 November 1997

TEXT: STATE DEPT. 11/26 RELEASE ON U.S.-DPRK BILATERAL MEETING

(Officials discussed missile proliferation)  (410)
Washington -- Following is the text of a press release from the State
Department on a November 26 bilateral meeting between U.S. and North
Korean officials:
(begin text)
Q: What can you tell us about today's meeting at the State Department
with North Korean representatives?
A: -- A U.S. DELEGATION HEADED BY PRINCIPAL DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY
FOR EAST ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS CHARLES KARTMAN MET AT THE STATE
DEPARTMENT TODAY WITH A NORTH KOREAN DELEGATION HEADED BY DPRK VICE
FOREIGN MINISTER KIM GYE GWAN TO DISCUSS ISSUES ON OUR BILATERAL
AGENDA. THIS WAS THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF SUCH MEETINGS BETWEEN MR.
KARTMAN AND MR. KIM INTENDED TO ACHIEVE PROGRESS ON ISSUES ON OUR
BILATERAL AGENDA. IT WAS THE FIRST SUCH MEETING TO BE HELD AT THE
STATE DEPARTMENT; EARLIER MEETINGS WERE HELD IN NEW YORK. AS AT OUR
PREVIOUS MEETINGS, THE U.S. SIDE ALSO INCLUDED OFFICIALS FROM THE NSC
AND PENTAGON.
-- SUBJECTS DISCUSSED TODAY INCLUDED COOPERATION ON THE RETURN OF
REMAINS OF KOREAN WAR DEAD, ESTABLISHMENT LIAISON OFFICES, MISSILE
PROLIFERATION, AND TERRORISM. THE TALKS WERE HELD IN A BUSINESSLIKE
MANNER.
-- OUR BILATERAL DIALOGUE WILL CONTINUE IN THE FUTURE AT BOTH THE
WORKING LEVEL AND IN OCCASIONAL MEETINGS, LIKE TODAY'S, BETWEEN MORE
SENIOR OFFICIALS. THERE ARE NO DATES SET FOR THE NEXT MEETINGS AT THIS
POINT.
Q: Did you reach agreement on liaison offices or dates for missile
proliferation talks?
A: -- TECHNICAL ISSUES STILL REMAIN TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE WE CAN OPEN
LIAISON OFFICES.
-- THERE ARE NO DATES TO ANNOUNCE YET FOR THE RESUMPTION OF MISSILE
TALKS.
Q: Did the North Koreans raise the food issue? What about economic
sanctions?
A: -- THE DPRK SIDE DID RAISE ISSUES OF CONCERN TO IT. WE WOULD REFER
YOU TO THE DPRK FOR DETAILS ABOUT ITS VIEWS.
-- THEY THANKED US FOR THE FOOD ASSISTANCE WE HAVE PROVIDED TO DATE.
THE U.S. POLICY ON THE PROVISION OF SUCH AID ON A HUMANITARIAN BASIS
IS UNCHANGED.
Q: Is this the first meeting at the State Department involving a Vice
Foreign Minister?
A: -- YES, ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF MEETINGS PREVIOUSLY AT
THE DEPARTMENT WITH OTHER NORTH KOREAN GOVERNMENT AND PARTY OFFICIALS.
Q:  Why did you meet in Washington instead of New York?
A:~  -- IT WAS MUTUALLY CONVENIENT TO DO SO.
(end text)