DATE=3/18/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=COHEN - KOREA (L)
NUMBER=2-260310
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S Defense Secretary William Cohen `welcomes'
the apparent end to the stream of Chinese threats
directed at Taiwan as voters head to the polls on the
island. Mr. Cohen said it would be a good idea if
whoever is elected offers a gesture of reconciliation
toward Beijing.
Mr. Cohen spoke in Korea after meetings with leaders
in Seoul. V-O-A's Jim Randle reports.
Text: Mr. Cohen says any conciliatory sign by the new
leader of Taiwan would be welcome, but he says the
Chinese must also be willing to push
aside their angry rhetoric and seek productive
negotiations.
Mr. Cohen's comments come as Taiwanese voters head to
the polls to choose new leaders. China has been
making military threats against
Taiwan trying to intimidate voters who might support
independence-minded candidates. China considers the
island of Taiwan to be a rebellious
province.
The Defense Secretary spoke after talks with Korea's
President Kim Dae Jung, and Minister of National
Defense Cho Seong Tae in Korea.
Mr. Cho says there is a `high possibility' of some
kind of North Korean military provocation in the near
future, and vowed the South Korean and U-S Military
forces would be ready to repel any attack from the
North.
The two defense ministers also discussed the laws that
govern the 38-thousand U-S Troops stationed in Korea.
Some Koreans have been angered by crimes committed by the
Americans and the perception that they don't receive
proper justice under the current agreement, and that
anger has sparked some noisy street protests in recent
days. The two sides say they will convene talks on the
issue in the near future.
Mr. Cohen heads back to Washington Saturday, follwing
meetings in Hong Kong, Japan, and Vietnam. (signed).
NEB/JR/PLM
18-Mar-2000 01:41 AM EDT (18-Mar-2000 0641 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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