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DATE=11/19/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241919
TITLE= COHEN / NORTH KOREA (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS CONCERNS ABOUT NORTH 
KOREA'S SUSPECTED NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM ARE 'SERIOUS' AND MIGHT
SPELL THE END OF A KEY WEAPONS AGREEMENT. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE 
REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.  
TEXT: AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES SAY A LARGE UNDERGROUND 
COMPLEX, UNDER CONSTRUCTION INSIDE A MOUNTAIN IN NORTH KOREA, MAY
BE USED TO HIDE A NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM.  
NORTH KOREA INSISTS THE PROJECT HAS ONLY NON-MILITARY PURPOSES. 
EARLIER THIS WEEK A HIGH-LEVEL U-S DELEGATION WENT TO NORTH KOREA
IN PART TO PERSUADE PYONGYANG TO ALLOW U-S INSPECTIONS OF THE 
FACILITY.  BUT NORTH KOREAN OFFICIALS HAVE SET A CONDITION  --  
SAYING IF THE INSPECTORS ARE ALLOWED INTO THE COMPLEX AND FAIL TO
FIND EVIDENCE OF A NUCLEAR PROGRAM, WASHINGTON WILL HAVE TO PAY A
300-MILLION DOLLAR FEE FOR 'SLANDERING' NORTH KOREA.
U-S OFFICIALS DISMISS THIS AS 'RIDICULOUS.'  DEFENSE SECRETARY 
WILLIAM COHEN SAYS WASHINGTON'S PATIENCE IS WEARING THIN.
                        /// COHEN ACT ///
          THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN GO ON INDEFINITELY.  
         THIS IS A SUBJECT MATTER THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.  WE
         ARE CONCERNED ABOUT REPORTS THAT WE'VE HAD ABOUT WHETHER
         OR  NOT THEY ARE COMPLYING WITH THE AGREED FRAMEWORK.  
         WE ARE GOING TO NEED INSPECTION, THE SITE OR SITES THAT 
         MIGHT BE INVOLVED.
                         /// END ACT ///
U-S OFFICIALS SAY IF NORTH KOREA IS BUILDING A NUCLEAR WEAPONS 
FACILITY, IT WOULD LIKELY VIOLATE A 1994 AGREEMENT, CALLED 'THE 
AGREED FRAMEWORK.' IN THE DEAL, NORTH KOREA SHUT DOWN NUCLEAR 
REACTORS SUSPECTED OF PRODUCING NUCLEAR WEAPONS MATERIALS --- IN 
RETURN FOR HELP IN BUILDING REACTORS FOR PEACEFUL USES.  
THE DEAL IS ADMINISTERED BY AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION WITH 
MANY MEMBERS, INCLUDING SOUTH KOREA, JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES.
SEOUL AND TOKYO FUNDED AND STARTED CONSTRUCTION OF REPLACEMENT 
NUCLEAR REACTORS DESIGNED PRODUCE ELECTRICITY, NOT BOMBS IN NORTH
KOREA.  WASHINGTON PROMISED TO HELP DELIVER THOUSANDS OF TONS OF 
FUEL OIL TO MEET NORTH KOREAN ENERGY NEEDS WHILE THE NEW REACTORS
ARE BEING BUILT. (SIGNED).
NEB/JR/WFR 
19-Nov-98 6:10 PM EST (2310 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.