DATE=12/10/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-223931
TITLE=KOREA TALKS / SECOND DAY / L
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: NEGOTIATORS FROM NORTH KOREA, SOUTH KOREA, THE UNITED
STATES AND CHINA ARE HOLDING A SECOND AND FINAL DAY OF KOREAN
PEACE TALKS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN GENEVA. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX
RUSTON REPORTS FROM GENEVA.
TEXT: BEFORE ENTERING THE SECOND DAY OF TALKS, A SOUTH KOREAN
OFFICIAL CONFIRMED SOME PROGRESS WAS MADE DURING MORE THAN SEVEN
HOURS OF DISCUSSION TUESDAY. HE DESCRIBES THE PROGRESS AS
"MODEST," SAYING AGREEMENT WAS REACHED ON HOLDING A SECOND ROUND
OF PEACE TALKS. THOSE TALKS ARE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED TO BE HELD
IN GENEVA IN MARCH.
U-S AND SOUTH KOREAN OFFICIALS SAY THEIR OBJECTIVE IN THE TALKS
IS TO ESTABLISH A PEACE TREATY TO REPLACE THE 1953 ARMISTICE THAT
ENDED FIGHTING IN THE KOREAN WAR. NO SPECIFIC PROGRESS ON THAT
ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED IN THE GENEVA TALKS.
DURING THE FIRST DAY OF TALKS, NEGOTIATORS FROM THE FOUR
COUNTRIES INVOLVED PRESENTED THEIR LONG-TERM GOALS. NORTH KOREA
SAID IT WANTS THE TALKS TO RESULT IN THE REMOVAL OF U-S TROOPS
FROM SOUTH KOREA -- A DEMAND U-S OFFICIALS HAVE INDICATED THEY
WILL NOT ACCEPT. THERE ARE ABOUT 37 THOUSAND U-S TROOPS IN SOUTH
KOREA. NORTH KOREA ALSO WANTS TO ESTABLISH A SEPARATE PEACE
TREATY WITH THE UNITED STATES.
THE UNITED STATES HAS NOT RULED OUT DISCUSSING THOSE ISSUES.
HOWEVER, IT HAS MADE IT CLEAR IT FIRST WANTS TO SEE AN EASING OF
TENSION ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA AND PROGRESS IN BUILDING DIRECT
CONTACTS BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA.
U-S OFFICIALS HAVE WARNED AGAINST EXPECTING SPECIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS
OUT OF THIS FIRST ROUND OF TALKS. THEY SAY IT HAS TAKEN MORE
THAN 40 YEARS TO GET TO THIS POINT IN THE PEACE PROCESS AND COULD
TAKE MANY MORE YEARS BEFORE A PEACE AGREEMENT IS REACHED.
NEGOTIATORS SAY THIS FIRST ROUND WAS DESIGNED TO ALLOW EACH SIDE
TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND TO ESTABLISH A BASIC FRAMEWORK FOR FUTURE
TALKS. THE SAY THE MAIN ACHIEVEMENT IS THAT THE TALKS ARE TAKING
PLACE, AS SCHEDULED, WITH ALL PARTIES IN ATTENDANCE. (SIGNED)
NEB / MPR / WD / WD
10-Dec-97 5:44 AM EST (1044 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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