DATE=7/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-235447
TITLE=SENATE-KOREA NUKE (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS URGING CONGRESS TO HELP
SUSTAIN THE AGREEMENT THAT HALTED NORTH KOREA'S SUSPECTED NUCLEAR
WEAPONS PROGRAM. OFFICIALS SAY THE FOUR-YEAR-OLD PACT IS UNDER
FINANCIAL STRESS BUT DENY CHARGES OF RENEGING. V-O-A'S DAVID
SWAN HAS DETAILS.
TEXT: THE DEAL CALLS ON NORTH KOREA TO SHUT DOWN A NUCLEAR
PLANT THAT COULD YIELD PLUTONIUM FOR BOMBS AND IN RETURN TO GET
MODERN REACTORS THROUGH A U-S LED CONSORTIUM CALLED KEDO. THE
GROUP IS ALSO PROVIDING THE NATION WITH FUEL OIL UNTIL THE NEW
PLANTS ARE BUILT.
NORTH KOREA RECENTLY ACCUSED THE UNITED STATES OF FAILING TO MEET
THIS COMMITMENT. AT A SENATE HEARING (TUESDAY) U-S AND KEDO
OFFICIALS REJECTED THE ALLEGATIONS. THE STATE DEPARTMENT
COORDINATOR FOR THE PROGRAM, RUST DEMING, SPOKE OF FRUSTRATION
AND DISAPPOINTMENT IN DEALING WITH PYONGYANG. STILL, MR. DEMING
SAYS KEEPING KEDO HEALTHY IS IMPORTANT FOR THE UNITED STATES AND
THE KOREAN PENINSULA.
/// DEMING ACT ///
THE NORTH KOREAN FACILITIES ARE FROZEN. THEY'RE NOT AT
THIS STAGE DISMANTLED. AND SO, ANYTHING THAT IS FROZEN
IS CAPABLE OF BEING UNFROZEN. AND I'M AFRAID THAT UNDER
THE WORST-CASE SCENARIOS WE COULD FIND OURSELVES BACK IN
THE SITUATION WE WERE FACING IN 1994 WHEN THIS CRISIS
REACHED ITS HEAD.
/// END ACT ///
HOWEVER, THE OIL DELIVERIES HAVE LAGGED DUE TO A SHORTAGE OF
MONEY. MR. DEMING CONCEDES WASHINGTON HAS FAILED TO PERSUADE
OTHER COUNTRIES TO SHARE THE COST OF THE OIL.
IN RESPONSE TO THE DELAYS, NORTH KOREA HAS RECENTLY PERFORMED
MAINTENANCE ON ITS OLD NUCLEAR PLANT AND THREATENS TO TURN ITS
REMAINING FUEL RODS INTO PLUTONIUM. DEMOCRATIC SENATOR DIANNE
FEINSTEIN VOICED DISMAY OVER ANOTHER ISSUE - THE NORTH KOREANS
HAVE NOT KEPT THEIR PLEDGE TO RESUME DIALOGUE WITH THE SOUTH.
/// FEINSTEIN ACT ///
I MUST TELL YOU I REGARD THIS WITH SOME SENSE OF DISMAY
AND SOME FEELING THAT THIS THING IS FALLING APART.
/// END ACT ///
THE REPUBLICAN-LED HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE BEEN RELUCTANT TO
PROVIDE ALL THE MONEY THE WHITE HOUSE SOUGHT FOR THE PROGRAM IN
THE LAST FEW YEARS. HOWEVER, THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT REMAINS
COMMITTED TO KEEP THE OIL FLOWING AND THE BROADER NUCLEAR
AGREEMENT INTACT. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/WDC/PT
14-Jul-98 3:38 PM EDT (1938 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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