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DATE=4/24/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-248553 (CQ)
TITLE=KOREA TALKS / L-O
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  A FIFTH ROUND OF FOUR-PARTY TALKS AIMED AT ACHIEVING A 
PERMANENT PEACE IN THE KOREAN PENINSULA HAS BEGUN IN GENEVA.  
DELEGATES ARRIVING FOR THE MEETING DAMPENED EXPECTATIONS FOR 
MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH IN THIS ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS SAYING SUCH A 
COMPLEX MATTER REQUIRES PATIENCE. LISA SCHLEIN REPORTS.
TEXT:  THE HEADS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CHINESE DELEGATIONS 
MAINTAINED A DISCREET SILENCE AS THEY ARRIVED FOR THE MEETING. 
THEIR SOUTH AND NORTH KOREAN COUNTERPARTS WERE SOMEWHAT MORE 
FORTHCOMING.  HOWEVER, BOTH WERE VERY CAUTIOUS IN THEIR 
ASSESSMENTS.  
THE SOUTH KOREAN AMBASSADOR SAID IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO FORECAST 
HOW THE TALKS WILL GO.  BUT, HE SAYS HE IS SURE THE AGENDA WILL 
NOT INCLUDE THE WITHDRAWAL OF U-S MILITARY FORCES FROM THE KOREAN
PENINSULA.   NORTH KOREA CONTINUES TO INSIST THE FOCUS OF 
DISCUSSIONS BE THE WITHDRAWAL OF 37 THOUSAND U-S TROOPS FROM THE 
SOUTH.  PREVIOUS ROUNDS HAVE FOUNDERED OVER THAT ISSUE.
THE MEETING WAS OPENED BY SWISS AMBASSADOR CHRISTIAN DUNANT.  HE 
SAYS SWITZERLAND HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN THE AREAS OF 
CONFIDENCE BUILDING AND EASING TENSIONS.  HE TOLD THE DELEGATES 
SWITZERLAND HAS A CONCRETE PROPOSAL TO MAKE.
            ///DUNANT ACTUALITY///
         WE ARE PREPARED TO ORGANIZE A SEMINAR OR SIMILAR EVENT 
         ON THE TOPIC OF MILITARY CONFIDENCE AND SECURITY 
         BUILDING MEASURES AND THE WAY THEY ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED
         IN THE O-S-C-E AREA.
            ///END ACTUALITY///
MR. DUNANT SAYS SWITZERLAND HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE MEMBER IN THE 
ORGANIZATION OF SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE FOR YEARS.  HE
SAYS SWITZERLAND IS WILLING TO SHARE THE EXPERIENCE IT HAS 
GATHERED TO FURTHER THE CAUSE OF PEACE IN THE KOREAN PENINSULA. 
THE PARTIES TO THE TALKS AGREE TENSIONS ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA 
MUST BE REDUCED.  THEY AGREE THE TRUCE WHICH ENDED THE 1950-53 
KOREAN WAR MUST BE REPLACED WITH A PERMANENT PEACE TREATY.  BUT, 
THEY DO NOT AGREE ON HOW THEY CAN ACHIEVE THESE ENDS.  THE UNITED
STATES -- WHICH IS CHAIRING THIS ROUND OF TALKS -- IS REPORTED TO
HAVE PROPOSED SOME TENSION-REDUCTION MEASURES.  THESE INCLUDE A 
SO-CALLED "HOT LINE" BETWEEN THE TWO KOREA'S, EXCHANGE VISITS BY 
MILITARY OFFICERS AND NOTIFICATION OF EXERCISES. THE CLOSED-DOOR 
TALKS ARE EXPECTED TO LAST FOUR DAYS.  (SIGNED)
NEB / LS / WD / WD
24-Apr-99 10:10 AM EDT (1410 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.