DATE=3/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-228153
TITLE=KOREAN TALKS (S&L)
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: NEGOTIATORS FROM THE UNITED STATES, CHINA AND NORTH AND
SOUTH KOREA MET SECRETLY IN GENEVA SATURDAY TO PREPARE FOR THE
SECOND ROUND OF KOREAN PEACE TALKS MONDAY. LISA SCHLEIN HAS THIS
REPORT.
TEXT: PREPARATORY TALKS TOOK PLACE IN AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION IN
GENEVA -- IN LINE WITH THE SECRECY THAT HAS SURROUNDED THESE
NEGOTIATIONS SINCE THEY OPENED LAST DECEMBER.
THE AIM TO IS ACHIEVE A PERMANENT PEACE ACCORD TO REPLACE THE
ARMISTICE AGREEMENT WHICH HALTED FIGHTING IN THE KOREAN WAR MORE
THAN 40 YEARS AGO. NO BREAKTHROUGH WAS REACHED DURING THE FIRST
ROUND OF TALKS AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, BUT KOREAN WATCHERS SEE
THE CONTINUATION OF NEGOTIATIONS AS A GOOD SIGN.
A U-S STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL SAYS THE PREPARATORY SESSION WAS
CALLED TO DISCUSS THE AGENDA FOR MONDAY'S FORMAL MEETING. ONE
ISSUE TO BE RESOLVED IS THE SEATING ARRANGEMENT, WHICH IS
CONSIDERED OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE, AS WELL AS THE SIZE AND THE
SHAPE OF THE NEGOTIATING TABLE.
// REST OPT //
IN DECEMBER, THE NORTH AND SOUTH KOREAN DELEGATIONS SAT OPPOSITE
EACH OTHER. OBSERVERS INTERPRETED THIS ARRANGEMENT AS A POSITIVE
SIGN THAT THE TWO SIDES WERE INTERESTED IN SERIOUS NEGOTIATIONS.
A U-S STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAYS WASHINGTON WILL PRESS FOR
CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES SUCH AS ADVANCE NOTIFICATION ON
MILITARY MANEUVERS AND CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGES BETWEEN
THE TWO KOREAS. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/DW/JO
14-Mar-98 12:16 PM EST (1716 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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