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DATE=6/21/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-250905
TITLE=KOREAS / TALKS (L)
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:  
INTRO:  A TOP SOUTH KOREAN OFFICIAL SAYS NORTH KOREA HAS REFUSED 
TO ATTEND THE FIRST OFFICIAL NORTH-SOUTH TALKS IN 14 MONTHS UNTIL
A PROMISED SHIPMENT OF SOUTH KOREAN FERTILIZER ARRIVES IN A NORTH
KOREAN PORT.  V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ROGER WILKISON REPORTS IT WAS 
THE SECOND TIME MONDAY THAT NORTH KOREA DELAYED THE OPENING OF 
THE TALKS.
TEXT:   SOUTH KOREA'S VICE-MINISTER OF NATIONAL REUNIFICATION 
--YANG YOUNG-SHIK -- TOLD REPORTERS IN BEIJING NORTH KOREA SENT 
SOUTH KOREA A LAST-MINUTE MESSAGE SAYING IT WOULD  NOT  ATTEND 
THE TALKS UNTIL IT RECEIVED A SHIPMENT OF 22-THOUSAND TONS OF 
FERTILIZER.
MR. YANG SAYS THE SHIPMENT -- WHICH WAS DUE TO ARRIVE IN NORTH 
KOREA ON SUNDAY -- WAS DELAYED BECAUSE OF RAIN BUT IS NOW 
SCHEDULED TO REACH THE NORTH KOREAN PORT OF NAMPO ON TUESDAY 
MORNING.
THE TALKS, WHICH WERE EXPECTED TO FOCUS ON REUNITING FAMILIES 
SEPARATED BY THE KOREAN WAR DURING THE 1950'S, WERE DELAYED 
EARLIER MONDAY WHEN NORTH KOREA ASKED FOR A FIVE-HOUR 
POSTPONEMENT FOR REASONS IT DID  NOT  EXPLAIN.
MR. YANG SAYS THAT, WHEN HIS GOVERNMENT NOTIFIED NORTH KOREA 
ABOUT THE DELAY IN THE FERTILIZER SHIPMENT, PYONGYANG RAISED NO 
OBJECTIONS.  HE CALLS THE NORTH KOREAN DECISION TO POSTPONE THE 
TALKS INAPPROPRIATE.
        //YANG ACTUALITY (IN KOREAN) ESTABLISH AND FADE//
MR. YANG SAYS IT IS REGRETTABLE THAT NORTH KOREA IS USING THE 
DELAYED  FERTILIZER SHIPMENT AS AN EXCUSE  NOT  TO BEGIN THE 
TALKS.  HE SAYS HIS DELEGATION IS WAITING TO SEE HOW THE NORTH 
RESPONDS TO THE SHIPMENT'S ARRIVAL.
THE TALKS IN BEIJING WERE ALSO EXPECTED TO DEAL WITH SOUTH KOREAN
FOOD AND FERTILIZER AID TO FAMINE-STRICKEN NORTH KOREA.  BUT 
SOUTH KOREAN DIPLOMATS HAVE BEEN SAYING THAT LAST WEEK'S NAVAL 
CLASH BETWEEN THE TWO KOREAS IN DISPUTED WATERS IN THE YELLOW SEA
MIGHT OVERSHADOW THE HUMANITARIAN ISSUES.  NORTH KOREA HAS VOWED 
TO RETALIATE FOR SOUTH KOREA'S SINKING OF ONE OF ITS GUNBOATS.
WHETHER THE TALKS GET UNDER WAY ON TUESDAY IS ANYBODY'S GUESS.  
MR. YANG SAYS THE SOUTH KOREAN DELEGATION IS PREPARED TO STAY IN 
THE CHINESE CAPITAL UNTIL THE NORTH INDICATES WHETHER OR NOT IT 
IS WILLING TO COME TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE.  (SIGNED)
NEB/RW/GC/JO/KL
21-Jun-99 7:19 AM EDT (1119 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.