DATE=7/26/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=COHEN-JAPAN-KOREA (L-ONLY) (CQ)
NUMBER=2-252170
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=TOKYO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Defense Secretary William Cohen says even
with spy satellites and other resources to help, the
United States can not tell when, or if, North Korea
will test launch a new ballistic missile. But Mr.
Cohen says the United States and North Korea's
neighbors are all urging Pyongyang not to light the
fuse. The defense secretary spoke on a flight to
Tokyo where he is set to hold talks with Japanese
leaders about North Korea's missiles, Taiwan's
possible drive for independence and other issues. V-
O-A's Jim Randle reports.
TEXT: Western journalists, quoting intelligence
sources, have been saying for weeks that North Korea
was making preparations to test launch a missile
that might be powerful enough to strike anywhere in
Japan, or cross much of the Pacific and hit American
soil in Alaska or Hawaii.
U-S officials have said U-S warships and research
vessels equipped with powerful radar and special
computers were steaming within reach of Korea, though
they won't confirm speculation they are part of an
intelligence team watching for a possible missile
firing.
/// COHEN ACT ///
I don't think we can project in terms of what
will take place. We follow very closely and we
have communicated and continue to communicate
to North Korea along with our South Korean
friends and Japanese that it would have serious
implications if they were to have another
launch.
/// END ACT ///
Washington, Seoul and Tokyo could cut aid to
Pyongyang, or stop construction of nuclear power
plants that are designed to produce electricity in
North Korea.
Concerns about North Korea's missile program have
already prompted Tokyo to join U-S efforts to develop
defenses against ballistic missiles. And South
Korean officials are talking about developing
improved ballistic missiles of their own, capable of
reaching more targets in North Korea.
/// COHEN ACT ///
One of the most important things we can do is to
continue to coordinate our policies so that we
have solidarity of our policy toward North
Korea. We don't want to have any kind of a gap
that could be exploited.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Cohen is set to meet with Japan's prime minister
and defense minister (Wednesday) and hold talks with
top officials in South Korea later in the week.
These are the first stops on a diplomatic trip that
will also take him to Ukraine and Georgia for talks
on military issues. (Signed)
NEB/JR/JO/KL
26-Jul-1999 17:14 PM LOC (26-Jul-1999 2114 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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