DATE=7/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S/NORTH KOREA (L)
NUMBER=2-264333
BYLINE=GARY THOMAS
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Talks between the United States and North Korea
over the communist nation's missile program ended in
stalemate Wednesday. North Korea is demanding cash
compensation for placing curb on its missile program.
However, as VOA Southeast Asia correspondent Gary
Thomas reports, the United States refuses to pay.
TEXT: The three days of talks in Kuala Lumpur
produced no breakthrough as the United States rejected
North Korean demands for cash in return for a halt in
missile exports.
Chief North Korean negotiator Jang Chang Chon told
reporters North Korea wants one billion dollars a year
to make up for what it says it will lose in revenues
in missile sales.
But U-S Assistant Secretary of State for Non-
Proliferation Robert Einhorn says that is not
acceptable. Speaking to VOA by telephone after the
talks adjourned, he said North Korea should not be
paid for unacceptable behavior.
/// EINHORN ACT ONE ///
We don't believe North Korea ought to be compensated
for stopping the sale of missiles that are capable of
delivering weapons of mass destruction.
/// END ACT ///
Missile sales are a significant source of hard
currency for cash-starved North Korea. But the United
States is troubled that the technology is going to
states such as Iran and Pakistan.
In 1998, North Korea unnerved the region by firing a
test missile that flew over the Japanese island of
Honshu. But earlier this year, Pyongyang agreed to a
moratorium on missile tests in exchange for an easing
of U-S sanctions.
But Mr. Einhorn says providing benefits to North Korea
as it gradually opens up to the outside world is quite
different than paying cash compensation.
/// EINHORN ACT TWO ///
We are prepared to improve relations with North Korea
as it addresses our concerns. And that means
accepting restraints on its missile activity.
Improving our relations will involve benefits for
North Korea, inevitably. That is a normal part of the
normalization process. But we don't see this as
compensation.
/// END ACT ///
North Korea has been emerging from its diplomatic
shell somewhat as it opened diplomatic ties with some
Asian and European states. Later this month, it will
participate in an Asian security forum in Bangkok for
the first time.
Mr. Einhorn says it is too soon to tell if this
represents a significant change in North Korea's
attitude.
/// EINHORN ACT THREE ///
It is certainly too early to tell to what extent this
reflects significant change in North Korea's policies
and outlook. But we welcome their apparent policy of
expanding contacts with the outside world.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Einhorn says no date has been set for a new round
of talks, but he hopes then can be resumed soon,
perhaps within the next few months. (signed)
NEB/HK/GPT/jo
12-Jul-2000 06:16 AM EDT (12-Jul-2000 1016 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
