DATE=2/25/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245970
TITLE=CONGRESS-FOREIGN POLICY (L ONLY)
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
*INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS NORTH KOREA
POSES A MAJOR THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES. BUT SHE SAYS
WASHINGTON SHOULD NOT SUSPEND FOOD AID AT A TIME OF FAMINE.
V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS DURING AN APPEARANCE ON CAPITOL
HILL, MS. ALBRIGHT ALSO FACED TOUGH QUESTIONING ABOUT KOSOVO, AND
AMERICA'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE U-N.
TEXT: THE SECRETARY OF STATE JUST BACK FROM THE KOSOVO PEACE
TALKS - - IS SHUTTLING BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, TRYING TO
SELL THE ADMINISTRATION'S FOREIGN POLICY.
SENATORS HAVE BEEN POLITE AND RESTRAINED IN THEIR QUESTIONING.
NOT SO, MEMBERS OF THE MORE BOISTEROUS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
HOUSE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN BENJAMIN GILMAN
- - A NEW YORK REPUBLICAN - - WELCOMED SECRETARY ALBRIGHT WITH
SOME TOUGH TALK ABOUT NORTH KOREA.
///GILMAN ACT///
THERE IS GREAT CONCERN, MADAM SECRETARY, IN THE
CONGRESS OVER OUR NORTH KOREA POLICY AND ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS. UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION, NORTH KOREA HAS
BECOME THE LARGEST RECIPIENT OF U-S FOREIGN AID IN ASIA.
///END ACT///
MS. ALBRIGHT MADE CLEAR THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONCERNED ABOUT
PYONGYANG'S MISSILE PROGRAM, AND SUSPECTS THE NORTH KOREANS MAY
BE CONDUCTING NUCLEAR RESEARCH AT A SECRET SITE. BUT SHE LEFT
NO DOUBT U-S HUMANITARIAN AID WILL CONTINUE TO FLOW THROUGH
INTERNATIONAL RELIEF AGENCIES.
///ALBRIGHT ACT///
WE DO CONSIDER THIS A HUGE THREAT TO US,AND ARE DEALING
WITH IT IN WHAT WE THINK IS THE MOST RATIONAL WAY OF
WORKING WITH OUR ALLIES - - THE SOUTH KOREANS AND THE
JAPANESE - - WHO ALSO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THIS.
///END ACT///
THE SECRETARY OF STATE ALSO HEARD FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS WORRIED
ABOUT PROSPECTS FOR AN OPEN-ENDED DEPLOYMENT IN KOSOVO. MISSOURI
DEMOCRAT PAT DANNER SPOKE ABOUT THE POSSIBLE IMPACT ON U-S TROOP
MORALE.
///DANNER ACT///
BECAUSE WE ARE BECOMING A POLICE ORGANIZATION RATHER
THAN A MILITARY ORGANIZATION WE ARE FINDING RECRUITING
IS DROPPING OFF.
///END ACT///
THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S RESPONSE WAS BLUNT.
///ALBRIGHT ACT///
I HAVE THE HIGHEST RESPECT FOR THE U-S MILITARY. THEY
ARE THE BEST IN THE WORLD AND THE BEST TRAINED. AND I
WOULD NEVER FOR A MOMENT WASTE THEM IN SOMETHING THAT
WAS NOT IMPORTANT TO U-S NATIONAL INTERESTS.
///END ACT///
HER WORDS WERE EQUALLY STRONG ON THE NEED TO PAY AMERICA'S
ARREARS TO THE UNITED NATIONS. CONGRESSIONAL CONSERVATIVES HAVE
PUT CONDITIONS ON THE MONEY DEEMED UNACCEPTABLE BY THE WHITE
HOUSE. (OPT) NEW JERSEY REPUBLICAN CHRIS SMITH SAYS THEY WANT A
BAN ON AID TO FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAMS ABROAD RUN BY GROUPS THAT
CAMPAIGN FOR ABORTION RIGHTS.
///SMITH ACT///
THERE ARE MANY OF US WHO BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY THAT
SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS THAT VIOLATE THE SOVEREIGNTY OF
INDIVIDUAL PARLIAMENTS AND COUNTRIES AS REGARDS TO THEIR
PROTECTION OF THE UNBORN CHILD - - THAT'S WHAT DOES
INJURY TO U-S VITAL INTERESTS AROUND THE WORLD.
///END ACT (END OPT) ///
PRESIDENT CLINTON MAY TOUCH ON THESE ISSUES FRIDAY WHEN HE
DELIVERS A FOREIGN POLICY ADDRESS IN CALIFORNIA. DURING HIS
STAY, MR. CLINTON WILL ALSO MEET WITH FORMER DEFENSE SECRETARY
WILLIAM PERRY - - A KEY ADVISOR ON NORTH KOREA. (SIGNED)
NEB/PW/WDC/PT
25-Feb-99 3:25 PM EST (2025 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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