DATE=10/1/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-239534
TITLE=U-S / NORTH KOREA TALKS (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED STATES AND NORTH KOREA BEGAN A NEW ROUND OF
TALKS TODAY (THURSDAY) ON MISSILE PROLIFERATION. THE TALKS,
EXPECTED TO LAST TWO DAYS, ARE TAKING PLACE IN NEW YORK, AS WE
HEAR FROM CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON.
TEXT: THE UNITED STATES HOPES TO CONVINCE NORTH KOREA TO CURB
ITS PRODUCTION AND SALES OF MISSILES, AMID CONCERN THAT THEY ARE
CONTRIBUTING TO INSTABILITY IN SEVERAL AREAS OF THE WORLD.
WASHINGTON IS PARTICULARLY EAGER FOR NORTH KOREA TO STOP
TRANSFERING ITS MISSILES TO COUNTRIES SUCH AS IRAN, SYRIA AND
PAKISTAN.
THE TALKS OPENED WITHOUT PUBLIC COMMENT FROM NEGOTIATORS. THE
PRECISE CONTENT IS EXPECTED TO BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL, AT THE
REQUEST OF NORTH KOREA.
IT IS THE THIRD ROUND OF MISSILE TALKS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES.
PREVIOUS TALKS TOOK PLACE IN 1996 AND 1997. THE TALKS THIS YEAR
ARE CONSIDERED PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT, AS THEY FOLLOW NORTH
KOREA'S FIRING OF A MULTI-STAGE MISSILE OVER JAPAN ON AUGUST
31ST. NORTH KOREA CLAIMS THE MISSILE SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED A
SATELLITE, AND SHOULD NOT BE VIEWED AS A MILITARY INCIDENT.
MISSILE SALES ARE BELIEVED TO PLAY A KEY ROLE IN PROPPING UP
NORTH KOREA'S FALTERING ECONOMY, WHICH HAS BEEN HIT HARD BY YEARS
OF DROUGHT AND POOR PLANNING.
NORTH KOREA AND THE UNITED STATES ARE CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN
SEPARATE NEGOTIATIONS ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT ISSUES. IN SEPTEMBER,
THE TWO COUNTRIES HELD TALKS ON NORTH KOREA'S NUCLEAR
CAPABILITIES. LATER THIS MONTH THEY WILL JOIN SOUTH KOREA AND
CHINA IN FOUR-PARTY PEACE TALKS IN GENEVA, AIMED AT REPLACING THE
ARMISTICE THAT ENDED FIGHTING IN THE 1950-TO-1953 KOREAN WAR.
(SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF
01-Oct-98 11:42 AM EDT (1542 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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