• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

DATE=10-10-2000

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-267703

TITLE=CLINTON / KOREA (L)

BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Clinton has held talks with the vice chairman of North Korea's National Defense Commission, Cho Myong-Nok -- the highest-ranking official of the Pyongyang government ever to visit Washington. V-O-A Correspondent David Gollust reports from the White House..

TEXT: U-S officials described the 45-minute meeting as very positive, direct, and warm, and said Mr. Cho gave the President a personal letter from North Korean President Kim Jong-Il on ways to build on progress already made toward improved relations.

The two countries -- still technically at war from the Korean conflict of the 1950's -- began a political dialogue several years ago which has accelerated since the historic North-South Korean summit last June.

North Korea -- its economy in tatters -- wants to be removed from the U-S list of countries supporting terrorism, which effectively bars it from international loans and most forms of U-S aid. Mr. Cho's arrival here was preceded by a joint U-S-North Korean statement in which Pyongyang said it opposes all forms of terrorism and believes all U-N member states must refrain from such activity.

The Clinton administration's North Korea policy coordinator, Wendy Sherman, told reporters the U-S side is making clear what else needs to be done, including -- it is understood -- the extradition of Japanese Red Army militants long-sheltered by Pyongyang:

/// SHERMAN ACTUALITY ///

We have had very frank discussions with North Korea about what we believe is required under our law. They are very well-aware of the steps that need to be taken and we will continue discussions while they are here about those steps.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Cho wore a business suit for an initial call on Secretary of State Madeleine Albright at the State Department. But he switched to his military uniform for the White House visit -- a sign, Ms. Sherman says, that his mission has the support of both civilian and military elements in Pyongyang.

In addition to the terrorism issue, the Washington talks -- extending over three days -- are expected to focus on North Korea's missile program, exports of military technology, and the 1994 agreement under which Pyongyang agreed to shut down two nuclear reactors suspected of being part of a weapons program.

Ms. Sherman said President Clinton raised a number of U-S concerns to Mr. Cho, although she cast the White House meeting as an introductory meeting and not a negotiating session.

Mr. Cho and his team are to have more detailed meetings with Ms. Albright and Defense Secretary William Cohen. U-S officials say one outcome of the visit could be an agreement to establish some form of diplomatic representation in the respective capitals. (Signed)

NEB/DAG/JWH