02 April 1999
TEXT: DAS EINHORN 4/2 REMARKS ON NORTH KOREA MISSILE TALKS
(Einhorn: N. Korea warned regarding missiles) (400) Tokyo -- If North Korea continues with its provocative missile program, that course of action will have "serious negative consequences" for North Korea's relations with the United States, according to Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Nonproliferation Robert Einhorn. "Any further flight testing of long range missiles, or any further exports of long range missiles or equipment and technology for long range missiles, would have very serious negative consequences for the evolution of U.S.-DPRK relations," Einhorn told reporters in an April 2 press briefing in Tokyo on talks U.S. officials had with their North Korean counterparts in Pyongyang March 29-30. Einhorn characterized the talks as "very substantive, candid, and detailed," but noted that they did not produce any breakthroughs in negotiations. Following is the official text of Einhorn's remarks: (begin text) Robert Einhorn Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Nonproliferation April 2, 1999 U.S. Embassy, Tokyo, Japan As you know, the U.S. held missile talks with the DPRK earlier this week, March 29th and 30th, in Pyongyang. We pressed for tight constraints on the full range of North Korean missile activities: exports, production, deployment and flight testing. We also saw the meetings as an opportunity to reinforce a message we have previously provided, that any further flight testing of long range missiles, or any further exports of long range missiles or equipment and technology for long range missiles, would have very serious negative consequences for the evolution of U.S.-DPRK relations. The talks this week were very substantive, candid, and detailed. But in the eleven hours of time we spent with our DPRK counterparts, I can't say we made any breakthroughs in the negotiations. We did agree to meet again at a time and a place that will be determined through our diplomats in New York. Yesterday afternoon and today, the U.S. team held meetings here in Tokyo with Japanese government officials and Diet members. Our purpose was to debrief them on the Pyongyang talks as well as to consult with them on the road ahead in the negotiations. The U.S. and Japan share a strong common interest in persuading the DPRK to limit its missile capabilities. Indeed, I believe our two governments see eye to eye on all critical issues. We will continue to stay in close touch with one another as the process unfolds. (end text)
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