DATE=6/15/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S - KOREA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-263531
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United States is expected to announce an
easing of sanctions against North Korea within days -
but officials say the action is not connected to this
week's unprecedented summit between North and South
Korea, in which the two sides agreed to work toward
eventual reunification. In fact, the Clinton
administration says the historic meeting in the North
Korean capital will not alter U-S policy toward
Pyongyang. Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from
the White House.
Text: Administration officials say preparations are
nearly complete for the easing of sanctions against
North Korea, and an announcement is expected in the
coming days.
The move is the result of a decision by President
Clinton last September, in response to Pyongyang's
announced moratorium on testing long-range missiles.
U-S officials say the action has no connection to this
week's meeting between South Korean President Kim Dae
Jung and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il - the first
such summit since the Korean peninsula was divided
more than a half century ago.
Moreover, administration officials say the Pyongyang
meeting will not change American policy toward North
Korea at all.
Despite the cooperation agreements it signed with
South Korea, U-S officials believe North Korea still
poses a threat to the region.
// Crowley actuality //
Fifty years of tension on the Korean peninsula
does not evaporate based on one meeting.
// end act //
National Security Council spokesman P-J Crowley says,
for example, there are no plans to alter the
deployment of the 37-thousand U-S troops on the
peninsula.
// Crowley actuality //
The United States and South Korea have agreed
that for the foreseeable future, we believe the
U-S troop presence in the Korean peninsula is
important not only to security there, but also
as a stabilizing factor in the region. So at
this point, we do not envision any change in the
U-S troop status.
// end act //
In addition, Mr. Crowley says the Pyongyang summit has
not eased U-S concerns about a North Korean missile
threat, and that Washington continues to move forward
with its planning for a national missile defense
system, or n-m-d.
// Crowley actuality //
I would say that notwithstanding the historic
and promising nature of the meeting in
Pyongyang, by the same token, we will make our
threat assessment based on actual capabilities
and actions that North Korea takes. They still
have a missile program.
// end act //
The United States is seeking to amend the 1972 Anti-
Ballistic Missile Treaty to allow for the limited
missile defense shield. Russia vehemently opposes
the plan, arguing it would undermine Russian defenses
and lead to a renewed arms race. (signed)
NEB/DAT/PT
15-Jun-2000 16:44 PM EDT (15-Jun-2000 2044 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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