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U.S. Department of State

Daily Press Briefing

QUESTION: Anything more on tensions between North and South Korea?

MR. FOLEY: Well, you're aware of the fact that there had been an ongoing incident or a naval stand-off. Our understanding is that ships from both sides are still in that area. We are in close consultation with our South Korean allies, and we are monitoring the situation carefully, and working closely with the Republic of Korea, to ensure that the situation is diffused and tensions are reduced.

Our forces remain in their normal state of readiness. What I can tell you is that the UN command has reissued an invitation to the DPRK for general officer's talks, to exchange information about the incidents as a tension reduction mechanism, to prevent further military confrontations in this area. The DPRK is currently considering this invitation, and we certainly urge them to take advantage of the opportunity to engage in dialogue on this important issue; because we think it's in everyone's interest to reduce tension in regard to this incident.

QUESTION: Another subject: I've seen a report saying that you may have a new boss after the Kosovo peace accord is in place. Reportedly, Mr. Talbott is the candidate to be the --

MR. FOLEY: To be the spokesman of the State Department?

QUESTION: No, no, no; to replace Secretary Albright.

MR. FOLEY: When you ask anybody in the State Department about his or her boss, you could be talking about many layers of bosses. The report is preposterous.

QUESTION: So not true - no truth?

MR. FOLEY: No truth, "preposterous" is stronger than "no truth."

QUESTION: Is the deputy spokesman leaving?

MR. FOLEY: He has a tough job, but I wouldn't recommend the spokesman's job to anybody.

QUESTION: I want to come back to a North Korean issue. Yesterday evening Dr. Perry gave a speech in -- somewhere in Washington, D.C. He said he is going to submit his final report later this year. Do you have any idea (about how much) later this year, or what is the reason? Because he said in Seoul after he went to Pyongyang that he is going to submit his report soon; but compared with what he said in Seoul, what he said yesterday has changed a little bit. Do you have any idea when Dr. Perry (will) submit his final report?

MR. FOLEY: Well, the operative word remains "soon." I don't know what he may -- or may not -- have said yesterday, but what I can tell you is that he is in the final stages of his North Korea policy review, and he's planning to report to the President soon. He'll report when his policy review is complete, not before that; so I can't put a specific date on it.

Our North Korea policy of maintaining strong, deterrent alliances with our friends in the region, while engaging the DPRK in serious dialogue to reduce tensions and address our concerns, remains unchanged. Far from delaying his report to the President, Dr. Perry is working expeditiously to complete it. As you know, he led a delegation to hear for himself, first-hand, the opinions and views of the DPRK. The trip to Pyongyang, he said, was a valuable tool to assess DPRK positions.

It's both prudent and necessary, in our view, for him to take the time necessary to complete the assessment of that trip -- also the time for further consultations with Congress which, as you know, occurred on Wednesday and on Thursday of this week -- because we believe that close consultations with the Congress remain an essential element of his ongoing review. Remember: He has factored into his review a wide range of expertise, including from the Congress, including from within the government, in the expert community and from our allies and friends in the region.

QUESTION: After he came back to Washington, DC, the United States, did he - has he met the President Clinton or Secretary Albright?

MR. FOLEY: Well, I'd have to refer you to the White House for a definitive word, but my understanding is: no. He will meet with the President when he's completed his review, and he presents his recommendations directly to the President. ................

QUESTION: Thank you.

(The briefing concluded at 2:50 P.M.)

[end of document]