DATE=4/27/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-248674
TITLE=KOREA TALKS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A FIFTH ROUND OF FOUR-PARTY TALKS ON KOREA HAS WRAPPED UP
WITH NO SIGNS OF PROGRESS HAVING BEEN MADE IN ACHIEVING A
PERMANENT PEACE IN THE KOREAN PENINSULA. LISA SCHLEIN REPORTS
FROM GENEVA.
TEXT: FOUR DAYS OF HIGH LEVEL PEACE TALKS HAVE NOT SUCCEEDED IN
BRINGING THE PARTIES ANY CLOSER TOGETHER. NEGOTIATORS FROM NORTH
AND SOUTH KOREA, THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA WOUND UP THIS ROUND
OF TALKS WITH AN AGREEMENT TO MEET AGAIN IN AUGUST -- AND LITTLE
ELSE.
THE PARTIES WANT TO CONVERT A TEMPORARY ARMISTICE THAT ENDED THE
1950 TO 1953 KOREAN WAR INTO A PERMANENT PEACE TREATY. BUT
LITTLE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE TOWARD THAT GOAL.
A JOINT STATEMENT ISSUED AT THE END OF THIS ROUND NOTED THAT
"SERIOUS DIFFERENCES IN POSITIONS EXIST". IT DESCRIBED THE TALKS
AS "USEFUL AND PRODUCTIVE" AND SAID THAT "DETAILED SUBSTANTIVE
VIEWS WERE FREELY EXCHANGED".
ONE OF THE MAJOR STICKING POINTS IS NORTH KOREA'S DEMAND THAT THE
TALKS FOCUS ON THE WITHDRAWAL OF 37-THOUSAND U-S MILITARY TROOPS
FROM THE KOREAN PENINSULA. AS IN THE PAST, SOUTH KOREA REJECTED
THIS PROPOSAL OUT OF HAND.
DESPITE THIS IMPASSE, THE DELEGATIONS BEGAN WORK ON SO-CALLED
CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES. THEY SPLIT INTO TWO SUBCOMMITTEES.
WHILE ONE WORKED ON A PEACE TREATY, THE OTHER EXPLORED METHODS TO
REDUCE TENSIONS ON THE PENINSULA.
SINCE THE LAST SESSION IN JANUARY, THE UNITED STATES AND NORTH
KOREA HAVE MANAGED TO RESOLVE A DISPUTE OVER A SUSPECTED
UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR FACILITY. NORTH KOREA AGREED TO ALLOW THE
UNITED STATES TO INSPECT THE SITE IN RETURN FOR FOOD AID.
HOWEVER, WASHINGTON HAS HAD LESS SUCCESS IN PERSUADING NORTH
KOREA TO GIVE UP ITS MISSILE PROGRAM. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/WFR
27-Apr-99 4:32 PM EDT (2032 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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