DATE=10/12/00
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-267837
TITLE=U-S/KOREA VISIT (L)
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United States and North Korea have wrapped up their highest-level talks with an announcement that Secretary of State Madeleine Albright plans to go to Pyongyang this month. Correspondent Nick Simeone reports U-S officials say the discussions went so well President Clinton could become the first American president to visit North Korea since the end of the Korean conflict a half century ago.
TEXT: U-S and North Korean relations, frozen for half a century in one of the last vestiges of the Cold War, appear to have suddenly warmed considerably.
/// ALBRIGHT ACT ///
We took a very substantial step away from the frozen and distant relations of the past.
/// END ACT ///
Secretary of State Albright says the visit by Cho Myong Nok, considered the number-two official in North Korea, accomplished some, if not all of the goals the Clinton Administration had set, including extending North Korea's moratorium on testing long range missiles. And even though both countries do not have diplomatic relations, there was announcement of a reciprocal visit to North Korea by Secretary Albright.
/// SECOND ALBRIGHT ACT ///
The purpose of my trip will be to explore opportunities for further progress on a range of regional and bilateral issues. I will also be making preparations for a possible visit to North Korea by President Clinton.
/// END ACT ///
But Vice Chairman Cho leaves Washington having fallen short of achieving one of Pyongyang's primary goals - getting North Korea removed from the U-S government's list of terrorist sponsoring nations. But judging from this week's talks, that could be the next step in improving relations between two nations that still technically remain at war. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/RAE
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