DATE=10/12/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=NOKOR REPORT - SENATE (L)
NUMBER=2-254942
BYLINE=JON TKACH
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Former Defense Secretary William Perry says
North Korea would have at least 50 nuclear weapons if
not for the nuclear freeze it agreed to in 1994. In
an official report released today (Tuesday), Mr. Perry
recommends working with - instead of isolating - North
Korea to convince it to end its long range missile
program and to keep its search for nuclear
capabilities on hold. V-O-A's Jon Tkach reports.
TEXT: Mr. Perry says now is the right time for the
United States to begin normalizing relations with
North Korea.
But he says that option will only be possible if
Pyongyang continues to forgo testing long-range
missiles.
Testifying before a Senate sub-committee (East asian
and pacific affairs), Mr. Perry said engaging North
Korea is the way to go because despite its economic
problems, the present regime is here to stay.
/// PERRY ACT ///
I do not believe the regime is likely to
collapse, with or without pressure from the
United States. Therefore I believe we must deal
with the North Korea regime as it is not as we
wish it would be.
/// END ACT ///
The Clinton administration has already implemented
some of Mr. Perry's key recommendations - it eased
trade and banking restrictions against the Communist
state last month in exchange for North Korea's pledge
to halt its missile tests.
Despite pushing for talks, Mr. Perry says he advised
President Clinton to hold off on reducing the 37
thousand U-S troops presently stationed in South
Korea.
The former secretary of defense warns that while the
U-S and its allies would win a war on the Peninsula, a
conflict with North Korea would be long and drawn out
- resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths,
including many U-S soldiers.
Mr. Perry says talks are moving ahead following - in
his words - "small, positive" steps in negotiations.
During the hearing, he also denied claims that the
Clinton administration is buying North Korea's
cooperation on missile and nuclear development by
reducing sanctions and providing famine aid.
/// REST OPTIONAL ///
Mr. Perry also weighed in on the debate concerning the
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty - saying he supported it
after safeguards were attached. He says North Korea
will likely use the U-S's refusal to ratify the treaty
as an excuse to not sign on. (Signed)
NEB/JON/TVM/PT
12-Oct-1999 18:49 PM EDT (12-Oct-1999 2249 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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