DATE=7/9/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S - NORTH KOREA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-264212
BYLINE=HYUN-SUNG KHANG
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Talks are due to resume tomorrow (Monday) in
Malaysia between the United States and
North Korea concerning Pyongyang's missile program.
As Hyun-Sung Khang reports from Seoul, the talks, to
take place in the Malaysian capital, will be the first
meeting between the two countries, since the
unprecedented
summit between the leaders of the two Koreas.
TEXT: The three days of talks are being held in
strict secrecy at the American embassy in Kuala
Lumpur. The Assistant Secretary of State for non-
proliferation, Robert Einhorn will lead the US side,
while the North Korean team is expected to be headed
by Jang Chang Chon, director-general
for US affairs at North Korea's Foreign Ministry. The
talks which are resuming after a break of more than a
year; will address the development,
deployment, testing and export of North Korean
missiles.
In recent months, the reclusive North has shown signs
of foregoing its pariah status in the international
community and opening up to the outside world. Last
month the leaders of the two Koreas ended their
historic summit with an agreement pledging their
countries to peace and reconciliation. The United
States responded to the warming of relations on the
peninsula, by easing economic sanctions against
Pyongyang, but Washington still considers North
Korea's missile program to be a threat.
US President, Bill Clinton recently said that
Pyongyang still had a missile
Program which the U-S had to deal with. Washington
fears North Korea will
be capable of firing a missile onto US territory, by
the year 2005. Last month, Pyongyang criticized
Washington for using its missile system as
justification for the US National Missile defense
system.
North Korea shook the region after it launched a
three-stage missile over Japan, less than two years
ago. Currently Pyongyang has agreed to adher to a
moratorium on its missile-testing program, but it has
demanded that Washington lift all sanctions against
it. (signed)
NEB/HSK/PLM
09-Jul-2000 06:45 AM EDT (09-Jul-2000 1045 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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