DATE=3/18/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246810
TITLE=CHINA / NORTH KOREA-U-S (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: CHINA IS WELCOMING AN AGREEMENT THAT WOULD LET U-S
INSPECTORS VISIT A SUSPECT UNDERGROUND NORTH KOREAN WEAPONS SITE,
NORTHWEST OF PYONGYANG. BUT AS VOA'S STEPHANIE HO REPORTS FROM
BEIJING, A CHINESE SPOKESMAN WAS CRITICAL OF U-S SENATE APPROVAL
WEDNESDAY OF A PROGRAM TO DEVELOP AN AMERICAN MISSILE SHIELD.
TEXT: FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SUN YUXI, SPEAKING THROUGH AN
INTERPRETER, SAID AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN NORTH KOREA AND THE UNITED
STATES IS ALSO GOOD NEWS FOR CHINA.
// SUN INTERPRETER ACT //
WE WELCOME THE PROGRESS MADE DURING THE TALKS BETWEEN D-P-R-K
AND THE U-S ON (THE) UNDERGROUND FACILITY AND BELIEVE THIS IS
CONDUCIVE TO THE RELAXATION OF TENSION ON THE PENINSULA AND TO
THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE BILATERAL RELATIONS.
// END ACT //
EARLIER THIS WEEK, U-S AND NORTH KOREAN NEGOTIATORS REACHED A
DEAL CALLING FOR INSPECTIONS OF A SUSPECTED UNDERGROUND SITE BY
THE UNITED STATES, IN RETURN FOR U-S FOOD AID FOR THE NORTH.
BUT WHILE APPLAUDING THE POSSIBLE RESOLUTION OF THE U-S/NORTH
KOREAN DISPUTE, THE CHINESE SPOKESMAN WAS CRITICAL OF THE UNITED
STATES ON ANOTHER SECURITY ISSUE. AT HIS REGULAR BRIEFING FOR
REPORTERS, MR. SUN LASHED OUT AT U-S SENATE PASSAGE WEDNESDAY OF
A BILL THAT WOULD CREATE A U-S NATIONAL MISSILE DEFENSE PROGRAM.
// SUN INTERPRETER ACT //
IT IS COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE TO INTERNATIONAL ARMS CONTROL AND
DISARMAMENT. AND IT WILL HAVE NEGATIVE IMPACT ON GLOBAL
STRATEGIC BALANCE, SO CHINA EXPRESSES SERIOUS CONCERN OVER THIS.
// END ACT //
THE U-S SENATE BILL WOULD COMMIT THE UNITED STATES TO BUILDING A
NATIONAL DEFENSE AGAINST LIMITED BALLISTIC MISSILE ATTACK AS SOON
AS TECHNOLOGICALLY POSSIBLE. (SIGNED)
NEB/HO/FC
18-Mar-99 6:54 AM EST (1154 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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