DATE=10/2/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-23927
TITLE=NORTH KOREA TALKS END (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A ROUND OF MISSILE PROLIFERATION TALKS BETWEEN THE
UNITED STATES AND NORTH KOREA ENDED TODAY (FRIDAY) IN NEW YORK
WITH AN AGREEMENT TO HOLD FURTHER TALKS SOON. V-O-A'S
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.
TEXT: U-S STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SAY THEY PRESENTED NORTH
KOREAN NEGOTIATORS WITH A CLEAR MESSAGE IN THE TALKS ... THAT THE
UNITED STATES IS CONCERNED THAT NORTH KOREA'S PRODUCTION AND
EXPORT OF MISSILES IS DESTABILIZING SOME REGIONS OF THE WORLD.
THEY DESCRIBE THE TALKS AS CANDID AND SERIOUS. U-S OFFICIALS SAY
AN AGREEMENT WAS REACHED IN PRINCIPLE TO HOLD ANOTHER ROUND OF
MISSILE TALKS AT -- THEY SAY -- THE EARLIEST PRACTICAL DATE. BUT
THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT NORTH KOREA OFFERED ANY SPECIFIC
PLEDGES TO CHANGE ITS POLICIES REGARDING THE PRODUCTION, TESTING
AND EXPORT OF MISSILES.
ISSUES DISCUSSED INCLUDE U-S CONCERN OVER NORTH KOREA'S EXPORT OF
MEDIUM-RANGE BALLISTIC MISSILE TECHNOLOGY TO A WIDE RANGE OF
COUNTRIES, INCLUDING PAKISTAN AND IRAN. U-S OFFICIALS ALSO
CONDEMNED NORTH KOREA'S AUGUST 31ST FIRING OF A MISSILE OVER
JAPAN AS HIGHLY DESTABILIZING. NORTH KOREA CLAIMS THE MISSILE
SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED A SATELLITE INTO ORBIT.
NORTH KOREA EARNS MUCH NEEDED FOREIGN EXCHANGE FROM ITS MISSILE
EXPORTS. ITS ECONOMY IS OTHERWISE REPORTED NEAR COLLAPSE
FOLLOWING SEVERAL YEARS OF DROUGHT AND POOR ECONOMIC PLANNING.
DIPLOMATS SAY THESE FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO NORTH KOREA'S
RELUCTANCE TO CURB ITS MISSILE EXPORTS.
WASHINGTON SAYS IT WILL NOT PROVIDE NORTH KOREA WITH MONETARY
REWARDS FOR STOPPING A PRACTICE IT SHOULD NOT BE INVOLVED IN IN
THE FIRST PLACE. BUT IT HAS INDICATED IT WILL LOOK MORE
FAVORABLY AT NORMALIZING POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS IF
NORTH KOREA COOPERATES ON THE ISSUE. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/PT
02-Oct-98 6:23 PM EDT (2223 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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