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DATE=1/16/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244262
TITLE=U-S / NORTH KOREA (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=JOHN LARKIN
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  THE UNITED STATES AND NORTH KOREA ARE SET FOR ANOTHER 
ROUND OF TALKS ON AMERICAN ACCESS TO A SUSPECTED NORTH KOREAN 
UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR SITE.  NEGOTIATORS FROM THE TWO SIDES WILL 
MEET IN GENEVA TODAY (SATURDAY) TO DISCUSS THE DISPUTE.  JOHN 
LARKIN REPORTS FROM SEOUL.
TEXT:  U-S OFFICIALS SUSPECT NORTH KOREA IS USING THE UNDERGROUND
SITE TO DEVELOP NUCLEAR ARMS, IN VIOLATION OF A 1994 ACCORD WITH 
WASHINGTON.  NORTH KOREA INSISTS THE SITE IS FOR CIVILIAN USE.  
NORTH KOREA STEPPED UP PRESSURE AHEAD OF SATURDAY'S TALKS, AGAIN 
DEMANDING THAT THE UNITED STATES PAY 300-MILLION DOLLARS TO 
INSPECT THE SITE.  WASHINGTON HAS REJECTED THAT DEMAND.
THIS DISPUTE THREATENS TO DERAIL A 1994 AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO
COUNTRIES WHICH MOTHBALLED THE NORTH'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM.  
THAT AGREEMENT FROZE THE NORTH'S NUCLEAR THREAT WHILE PROVIDING 
THE FAMINE STRICKEN COUNTRY WITH TWO MODERN REACTORS AND OIL 
DELIVERIES.
THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS RACING THE CLOCK TO RESOLVE THE 
IMPASSE, AS THE U-S CONGRESS HAS VOWED TO CUT FUNDING FOR THE OIL
DELIVERIES IF THE INSPECTION ISSUE ISN'T RESOLVED BY JUNE.
THE NORTH HAS ALREADY SAID IT CAN LIVE WITHOUT THE 1994  PACT, 
IMPLYING IT WILL RESUME REPROCESSING WEAPONS-GRADE PLUTONIUM FOR 
NUCLEAR ARMS IF THE DEAL COLLAPSES.
ON FRIDAY, U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SIGNALLED THE U-S 
WOULD NOT WATER DOWN ITS DEMANDS.  AFTER TALKS IN SEOUL WITH 
SOUTH KOREAN DEFENSE OFFICIALS, HE SAID THE ALLIED FORCES WERE 
BETTER EQUIPPED THAN EVER TO DEFEAT NORTH KOREA IF ATTACKED.
HE ALSO REITERATED WASHINGTON'S COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE WHAT HE 
TERMED A "NUCLEAR UMBRELLA" OVER SOUTH KROEA TO PROTECT IT FROM 
ATTACK AS WELL AS SAFEGUARD THE 37-THOUSAND U-S TROOPS STATIONED 
THERE.
MEANWHILE, SEPARATE FOUR-PARTY TALKS ON REPLACING THE 1953 KOREAN
WAR ARMISTICE WITH A PERMANENT PEACE TREATY WILL RESUME MONDAY IN
GENEVA.  THOSE TALKS BRING TOGETHER OFFICIALS FROM THE UNITED 
STATES, NORTH KOREA , SOUTH KOREA AND CHINA. (SIGNED)
NEB/JL/PLM
16-Jan-99 4:20 AM EST (0920 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.