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U.S. Department of State

Daily Press Briefing

INDEX
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1999
Briefer: JAMES B. FOLEY

ANNOUNCEMENTS / STATEMENT
1	US-DPRK Meeting on Underground Construction, NY, Feb 27
KOREA (NORTH)
16,17-18	US Food Assistance Pledge / Dr. Perry's Policy Review & Travel

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
DPB #20
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1999, 1:10 P.M.
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

............... MR. FOLEY:

..................

Secondly, I'd like to announce that the next round of US-DPRK discussions on the Kumchang-ni underground construction will be held in New York, commencing February 27. In these talks, as in previous rounds, the United States will seek steps by the DPRK to remove fully our suspicions about the site, including by providing access to it. Ambassador Charles Kartman, US special envoy for the Korean peace talks, will lead the US delegation.

.................

..................

QUESTION: Just a quickie on North Korea, because you made a little statement in just a sort of - make it a two-paragraph instead of a one-paragraph story. Has the US found a way to provide food on a humanitarian basis to the starving populace without appearing to reward the North Koreans?

MR. FOLEY: Well, we're not going to pay compensation. We made that very clear.

QUESTION: I know that, but if they interpret food as compensation that's their problem, right? What are you doing about food?

MR. FOLEY: We announced, I believe in the fall of last year, our pledge for 1999 for food assistance through the World Food Program. Subsequent to that, I believe in December, the World Food Program launched another appeal. My understanding - and it's maybe dated by a few days - is that we were still looking at that appeal. I don't have any new for you on that.

QUESTION: That's basically what I meant - whether you've come up with a package.

MR. FOLEY: Sorry I kept you waiting there.

..................

QUESTION: All right. The second one, really quick, the last one on North Korea - regarding Dr. Perry's report, do you have information on his travel plans, prior to the release and then also after the release of his repor, to the region?

MR. FOLEY: Well, I'm not sure when he will be completing his work, his policy review. So it's impossible to describe other events surrounding the completion of his review when we don't know when it's going to be completed.

I can tell you he's considering to travel to consult with officials and experts in the Republic of Korea, Japan and China. But my information is that no itinerary has been finalized. We will announce his travel plans when they are firm.

QUESTION: Is he planning to go to Pyongyang and meet with President Kim in North Korea?

MR. FOLEY: He has no plans currently to visit there.

QUESTION: Will the report be released in a general way here at the State Department?

MR. FOLEY: I don't know. I mean, certainly we will be in a position to describe the report to you. I don't know if we would be releasing any documents, though.

QUESTION: If I could just ask a favor of you.

MR. FOLEY: It's his birthday, Barry, remember.

(Laughter.)

QUESTION: If you decide to leak the report, why don't you leak it to somebody who comes to the briefings every now and then?

MR. FOLEY:Anyone in particular, Sid?

QUESTION: Barry Schweid.

(Laughter.)

.................

[end of document]