Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=11/3/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-268789

TITLE=U-S/NORTH KOREA (L)

BYLINE=GARY THOMAS

DATELINE=BANGKOK

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Another round of talks between the United States and North Korea on Pyongyang's missile program has ended without agreement. VOA Southeast Asia Correspondent Gary Thomas reports negotiators failed to reach an accord on curbing the manufacture and spread of North Korean missiles.

TEXT: The good will generated by U-S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's recent visit to North Korea was not enough to seal an agreement Friday between the Washington and Pyongyang on North Korea's missile program.

After three days of talks in Kuala Lumpur, chief U-S negotiator Robert Einhorn issued a statement saying that the talks were "detailed, constructive, and very substantive" but that significant issues remain to be explored and resolved.

This latest round of missile talks was a follow-up to discussions Secretary Albright had with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il during her visit to Pyongyang last week. Mr. Einhorn says both sides discussed all areas of missile issues, including an in-depth discussion of Mr. Kim's idea of restraint on the missile program in return for Western launches of North Korean satellites.

Mr. Einhorn says the U-S delegation will report back to Washington to consider the next steps.

Further details are not available, as both Mr. Einhorn and his North Korean counterpart declined to meet with reporters.

The talks were held in a heady atmosphere of North Korean détente. The reclusive and secretive North Korean leadership has been engaged in a offensive to break the ice of its long diplomatic deep freeze, particularly with its Cold War enemies - the United States and South Korea.

However, the United States has insisted on North Korean curbs on its missile program before the ice can be fully broken. The United States claims North Korea is selling its missile technology to nations Washington considers worrisome, such as Pakistan and Iran. Its missile program also worries nearby nations such as Japan, and the United States has expressed concern that North Korea could develop an intercontinental missile capability.

For North Korea, missile exports are one of the few ways to earn capital for its battered economy. It also says the missile program is necessary to self-defense.

The last round of missile talks in July also ended in failure when the United States rejected a North Korean demand for one billion dollars in compensation for curbs on its missile program.

With no deal on missiles in sight and very little time left, it is now believed highly unlikely that President Clinton will make a trip to North Korea. Mr. Clinton is to travel to Brunei later this month to participate in a meeting of Asian leaders. He then heads for a historic visit to Vietnam which is, like North Korea, a former U-S battlefield foe. (signed)

NEB/HK/GPT/JO/PFH