DATE=7/27/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=NORTH KOREA/MISSILE (L)
NUMBER=2-252179
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=SINGAPORE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United States, Japan and South Korea are
warning North Korea not to go ahead with another test
of a long range missile, saying doing so would lead to
serious negative consequences. Instead, as
Correspondent Nick Simeone reports, the foreign
ministers of all three countries meeting in Singapore
are calling on Pyongyang to seize the opportunity to
strengthen its economic and political ties with the
rest of the world.
TEXT: The three foreign ministers are unanimous in
their message to Pyongyang -- move ahead with another
long-range missile test and face a possible cut off of
foreign assistance.
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
// ALBRIGHT ACT //
We stressed that another long range missile launch,
whether declared to be a missile test or an attempt to
place a satellite in orbit would be highly
destabilizing and would have very serious consequences
for our effort to build better relations.
// END ACT //
Standing at her side, South Korean Foreign Minister
Hong Soon-Young, whose government has been trying to
engage the North, was even more blunt.
// HONG ACT //
In case of another missile firing, there should be
penalties. They would have to pay the price for this
act of provocation.
// END ACT //
// OPT // North Korea caught the world off guard a
year ago by test firing a multi-stage rocket that
could threaten South Korea, Japan and American troops
stationed in the region. Military analysts doubted
the North's explanation that the rocket was used to
put a satellite into orbit. For a nation that
continues to make hostile statements toward South
Korea and the United States,any advancement in
Pyongyang's long range missile capability, as well as
suspicions that the reclusive government is moving
ahead with its nuclear program, would set off alarm
bells in the region and beyond. // END OPT //
At their meeting today, the U-S, South Korean and
Japanese foreign ministers called on Pyongyang to
respond positively to proposals made in May by William
Perry -- President Clinton's special advisor on North
Korea -- to build new and positive relations with its
neighbors.
The former U-S Defense Secretary is expected to
recommend increasing aid to the North if Pyongyang
agrees to freeze its nuclear program and impose strict
restraints on ballistic missiles. (SIGNED)
Neb/njs/plm
26-Jul-1999 23:28 PM LOC (27-Jul-1999 0328 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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