DATE=7/21/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-252018
TITLE=CONGRESS - NORTH KOREA (L)
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS APPROVED A BILL THAT
PROVIDES O/N/E-P/O/I/N/T-F/O/U/R BILLION DOLLARS FOR SECURITY
IMPROVEMENTS AT AMERICAN EMBASSIES AROUND THE WORLD. (EDITORS:
THE BILL WAS PASSED WITH A VOICE VOTE - - THERE WAS NO VOTE
TALLY) BUT AS V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS, LAWMAKERS ADDED
LANGUAGE ON NORTH KOREA THAT MIGHT PROMPT A PRESIDENTIAL VETO.
TEXT: THE AUTHORS OF THE BILL TRIED TO AVOID CONTROVERSY IN
DRAFTING THE LEGISLATION. WITH IMAGES OF LAST YEAR'S U-S EMBASSY
BOMBINGS IN KENYA AND TANZANIA STILL FAIRLY FRESH IN THEIR MINDS,
THEY QUADRUPLED PRESIDENT CLINTON'S REQUEST FOR REBUILDING AND
RENOVATING DIPLOMATIC COMPOUNDS AROUND THE WORLD. THEY THEN
ADDED THE MONEY TO A MEASURE THAT AUTHORIZES STATE DEPARTMENT
PROGRAMS AND POLICIES. AND IN AN EFFORT TO ASSURE EASY
PASSAGE, THEY OMITTED PROVISIONS THAT HAVE THREATENED SIMILAR
LEGISLATION IN THE PAST.
(OPT) THERE WAS NO MENTION IN THE BILL OF AMERICA'S ARREARS TO
THE UNITED NATIONS...AND THE HOUSE SHIED AWAY FROM ANOTHER FIGHT
WITH THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OVER INTERNATIONAL FAMILY
PLANNING.(END OPT) BUT WHEN IT CAME TIME TO DEBATE THE
LEGISLATION IN THE HOUSE CHAMBER, A PROBLEM EMERGED AS LAWMAKERS
APPROVED AN AMENDMENT THAT COULD CREATE TROUBLE WITH THE WHITE
HOUSE. IT DEALS WITH A 1994 AGREEMENT IN WHICH NORTH KOREA
PROMISED TO SHUT DOWN ITS NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM IN EXCHANGE FOR
TWO U-S DESIGNED NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS WITH NO MILITARY
APPLICATIONS, AS WELL AS TEMPORARY SHIPMENTS OF FUEL OIL.
DURING THEIR DEBATE, MOST HOUSE MEMBERS MADE CLEAR THEY DO NOT
TRUST NORTH KOREA. BY AN OVERWHELMING MARGIN, THEY VOTED TO
ADD CONDITIONS TO THE 1994 AGREEMENT. THEY SAID PRESIDENT
CLINTON MUST CERTIFY THAT PYONGYANG IS IN COMPLETE COMPLIANCE
BEFORE THE UNITED STATES FULFILLS ITS OBLIGATIONS. NEBRASKA
REPUBLICAN DOUG BEREUTER (BEE'-WRITER) URGED HIS COLLEAGUES TO
APPROVE THE LINKAGE.
///BEREUTER ACT///
WE HAVE FALLEN INTO A PATTERN OF COMPLYING WITH
EXTORTION ON THEPART OF THE NORTH KOREANS.
///END ACT///
BUT THERE WERE WORDS OF CAUTION FROM OHIO DEMOCRAT TONY HALL -
-ONE OF THE FEW MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO VISIT NORTH KOREA.
///HALL ACT///
THIS IS A HIGHLY SENSITIVE TIME IN RELATIONS BETWEEN THE
UNITED STATES AND NORTH KOREA. NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO
MICRO-MANAGE OUR POLICY.(FOR CONGRESS TO TELL THE
PRESIDENT WHAT TO DO).
///END ACT///
FEW LAWMAKERS WERE SWAYED BY HIS PLEAS. HOUSE MEMBERS VOTED IN
LARGE NUMBER (305 - 120) TO PUT THE LANGUAGE ON NORTH KOREA IN
THE BILL. SIMILAR LEGISLATION PLACING RESTRICTIONS ON
AGREEMENTS WITH PYONGYANG IS PENDING IN THE SENATE. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
21-Jul-99 6:25 PM EDT (2225 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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