DATE=1/15/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244213
TITLE=SOUTH KOREA / COHEN (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=JOHN LARKIN
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN FRIDAY CALLED ON
NORTH KOREA TO ABANDON WHAT HE TERMED "PROVOCATIVE" ACTIONS IN
FAVOR OF MORE DIALOGUE WITH SOUTH KOREA AND THE UNITED STATES.
JOHN LARKIN REPORTS FROM SEOUL, SECRETARY COHEN MADE THE APPEAL
FOLLOWING ANNUAL BILATERAL SECURITY TALKS WITH SOUTH KOREAN
OFFICIALS.
TEXT : THE DEFENSE SECRETARY URGED NORTH KOREA TO HELP ACHIEVE A
PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO A NUCLEAR STALEMATE, WHICH COULD SCUTTLE THE
1994 GENEVA AGREED-UPON FRAMEWORK. UNDER THAT PACT, PYONGYANG
AGREED TO HALT ITS NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM IN RETURN FOR TWO
MODERN NUCLEAR REACTORS AND OIL DELIVERIES.
BUT SECRETARY COHEN'S REQUEST CARRIED A STERN WARNING.
//COHEN ACT//
OUR ALLIED MILITARY CAPABILITY HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER NOR MORE
SURE OF DECISIVE VICTORY, IF ATTACKED. NORTH KOREA WILL DASH
ANY HOPE OF REALIZING THE BENEFITS OF DIALOGUE AND ENGAGEMENT IF
IT UNDERMINES THE AGREED FRAMEWORK. THE U-S WILL CONTINUE TO WORK
TO PRESERVE THAT AGREEMENT BUT WE CANNOT DO IT ALONE.
//END ACT//
THE 1994 ACCORD IS THREATENED BY A DISPUTE OVER A CONSTRUCTION
SITE IN NORTH KOREA THAT WASHINGTON SUSPECTS IS A NUCLEAR PLANT
IN THE MAKING. THE NORTH DENIES THE ACCUSATION AND WANTS TO BE
PAID 300 MILLION DOLLARS IN RETURN FOR ALLOWING AN INSPECTION.
WASHINGTON HAS REFUSED.
SECRETARY COHEN URGED PYONGYANG TO ALLOW INSPECTIONS OF THE
SUSPECT SITE AND NOT TO CARRY OUT A THREAT TO WALK AWAY FROM THE
PACT. /// OPT /// SPEAKING AT A JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE WITH
SOUTH KOREAN DEFENSE MINISTER CHUN YOUNG-TAEK, HE ALSO APPEALED
TO THE FAMINE-STRICKEN NATION TO CEASE ITS LONG-RANGE MISSILE
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
//COHEN ACT//
AT A TIME WHEN NORTH KOREA CANNOT FEED ITS OWN PEOPLE, THE
ENTIRE PENINSULA WOULD BENEFIT FROM POLICIES IN THE NORTH THAT
ENCOURAGE THE BENEFITS OF COOPERATION RATHER THAN RAISE THE RISK
OF CONFRONTATION.
//END ACT//
THE LOOMING SHOWDOWN HAS INTENSIFIED SECURITY CONCERNS ON THE
KOREAN PENINSULA. NORTH KOREA RECENTLY WARNED IT WAS PRIMED FOR
BATTLE WITH THE UNITED STATES, WHICH HAS 37-THOUSAND TROOPS IN
SOUTH KOREA. /// END OPT ///
SECRETARY COHEN CALLED NORTH KOREA'S MISSILE TESTS AND SPY
MISSIONS INTO THE SOUTH "PROVOCATIVE" BUT SAID THE DISPUTE HAS
NOT YET REACHED A CRISIS POINT.
//COHEN ACT//
/// OPT /// IN THE FACE OF THIS UNCERTAINTY, OUR POLICY MUST
REMAIN CLEAR AND UNWAVERING. WE WILL MAINTAIN A STRONG
DETERRENCE AS WE PURSUE DIALOGUE WITH NORTH KOREA.
//END ACT //
THE U-S CONGRESS HAS SET A JUNE DEADLINE AFTER WHICH IT WILL CUT
FUNDING FOR OIL DELIVERIES TO PYONGYANG -- PROMISED UNDER THE
AGREED FRAMEWORK -- UNLESS PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE ON THE
INSPECTION ISSUE. /// END OPT ///
SECRETARY COHEN ALSO EXPRESSED WASHINGTON'S FULL SUPPORT FOR
SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT KIM DAE-JUNG'S SO-CALLED "SUNSHINE POLICY"
-- EFFORTS TO EXPAND PEACEFUL CONTACTS THROUGH TRADE AND OTHER
MEANS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JL/GC/FC/PLM
15-Jan-99 4:39 AM EST (0939 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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