Powell Calls for Multilateral Approach to North Korea
(Secretary's remarks at February 24 Beijing press conference) (3970)
The problem of North Korea's nuclear weapons program is not just a
bilateral U.S.-North Korean issue, but must be dealt with through a
multilateral effort by interested countries, Secretary of State Colin
Powell said at a briefing in Beijing February 24.
Powell spoke to reporters in between meetings with Chinese officials,
during the second stop for the secretary on a three-nation Asian trip.
He stopped first in Tokyo, and was scheduled to travel to Seoul after
his Beijing talks to attend the inauguration February 25 of South
Korean President Roh Moo Hyun.
The Secretary said the United States and China share "the goal of a
diplomatic and peaceful resolution" to the problem of North Korean
nuclear activities.
"The United States," he said, "feels strongly that North Korea's
actions pose a threat to regional stability and to the global
non-proliferation regime. I cannot emphasize enough how seriously all
of us would view any move by North Korea toward reprocessing of the
spent fuel rods and production of nuclear weapons."
Powell said "It is a matter for China, it's a matter for South Korea,
it's a matter for Japan, it's a matter for Russia, it's a matter for
the United Nations, the IAEA, and it is a matter for the United
States."
The Secretary said it would be in North Korea's best interests to
abandon its nuclear activities.
"North Korea must come to understand that if it wants to benefit from
the opportunities of the modern world, the opportunities that exist to
help the North Korean leadership feed its people and improve its
economy, it needs to step forward and abandon these programs to
develop weapons of mass destruction and to proliferate other dangerous
technologies throughout the world," he said.
Turning to Iraq, Powell said the United States strongly believes that
"it is time for Saddam to disarm or depart, and for the Security
Council to get ready to live up to its responsibilities if Saddam does
not meet his responsibilities."
"We must not be afraid of a conflict, if a conflict is what it takes
to remove weapons of mass destruction from Iraq," the Secretary said.
"What we stand to gain is a rogue regime such as Iraq not having
weapons of mass destruction, chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons
with which to threaten their neighbors, or perhaps even become a
source of such weaponry to terrorists."
Neither China nor the United States seeks war with Iraq, but "the
Security Council must meet its responsibilities if Iraq does not
comply" with the terms of United Nations Resolution 1441 to declare
and eliminate its weapons of mass destruction, Powell said.
Powell said members of the Security Council will "have to make their
own judgment as to whether or not Iraq is complying, and what the
appropriate action should be" if it is in noncompliance.
He stressed, however, that the United States believes that disarming
Iraq is in the best interest of all nations.
Following is a transcript of Powell's remarks, as released by the
Department of State:
(begin transcript)
Press Conference
Secretary Colin L. Powell
St. Regis Hotel
Beijing, China
February 24, 2003
SECRETARY POWELL: (Applause) Clearly not the American press, but
that's all right! Well, good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Let me
begin by saying it is a great sight to be back in China. This is my
third visit to Beijing since becoming secretary and my fourth visit to
China, which I think illustrates the importance that we attach to this
relationship. And in this visit so far I've had excellent meetings
with Vice President Hu and Foreign Minister Tang, and I am looking
forward to meeting right after this brief press conference with
President Jiang Zemin.
Vice President Cheney will further our high level dialogue during his
visit this spring. Our relations with China have really moved to a new
dimension. In addition to three meetings in 18 months, President Bush
and President Jiang have had frequent phone calls and I meet with my
counterpart, Foreign Minister Tang, almost every other week now. In
between, we two communicate by phone on a regular basis. The U.S. and
China are now addressing, through these many ways of dialogue, issues
of worldwide concern, not just to us bilaterally, but issues that
affect the entire world.
As a fellow permanent member of the Security Council, we work closely
with our Chinese colleagues to ensure for example that Iraq cannot
continue to threaten international peace and security. I discussed
with Foreign Minister Tang and with Vice President Hu earlier today
the need for us to take action in the near future with respect to Iraq
and noted that early this week, we and the United Kingdom will be
tabling a new resolution that will make clear that time is running out
on Iraq and that Iraq has so far not taken the opportunity given to it
under UN Resolution 1441 to come into compliance with its
international obligations.
The United States believes strongly, and I conveyed this to my Chinese
interlocutors today, that it is time for Saddam to disarm or depart,
and for the Security Council to get ready to live up to its
responsibilities if Saddam does not meet his responsibilities. We also
discussed at some length this morning our shared goal for a nuclear
weapons-free Korean Peninsula. A goal that both of our nations share.
The United States appreciates China's consistent message to the North
Koreans; that China joins the rest of the world community in expecting
Pyongyang to comply with its obligations and its own promises with
respect to nuclear weapons.
The United States and China share the goal of a diplomatic and
peaceful resolution to this problem. It cannot simply be treated,
however, as a bilateral matter between the United States and North
Korea. The United States feels strongly that North Korea's actions
pose a threat to regional stability and to the global
non-proliferation regime. I cannot emphasize enough how seriously all
of us would view any move by North Korea toward reprocessing of the
spent fuel rods and production of nuclear weapons. And we are prepared
to address these issues with North Korea in a multilateral context in
which China and other nations can participate. It is a matter for
China, it's a matter for South Korea, it's a matter for Japan, it's a
matter for Russia, it's a matter for the United Nations, the IAEA, and
it is a matter for the United States. I believe that North Korea must
come to understand that if it wants to benefit from the opportunities
of the modern world, the opportunities that exist to help the North
Korean leadership feed its people and improve its economy, it needs to
step forward and abandon these programs to develop weapons of mass
destruction and to proliferate other dangerous technologies throughout
the world.
In our discussions this morning we also talked about counterterrorism
cooperation and I must say that China is certainly doing its part and
we are pleased with the level of cooperation we have with China. China
is tracking down terrorist finances, stepping up law enforcement
coordination, and sharing information. To further these efforts we
opened a legal attaché office in our Embassy last year.
The fight against terrorism also requires us to ensure that
Afghanistan can never again be a source of instability, a source where
terrorists can go and find haven. And in order to work toward the
rebuilding of Afghanistan, we are working with China and I'm pleased
that China donated $150 million in bilateral assistance for Afghan
reconstruction as part of our overall international effort to help the
Afghanistan people.
The attacks of September 11, 2001, raise the specter that terrorists
could use weapons of mass destruction, so this makes global
proliferation issues even more critical for U.S.-China relations. Last
fall China promulgated missile, chemical and biological, and munitions
related export controls. These regulations were a welcome and a very
positive step forward. What is now key is full implementation and
effective enforcement of the regulations through a transparent
process. Companies and individuals must be held responsible for
adhering to these new laws and regulations.
China's decision to adhere to international norms in this area fits
with the historical and positive trend of China's acceptance of world
standards in other areas as well. China has a challenging task, for
example, as it works to fulfill its World Trade Organization
commitments and obligations and we look forward to working with China
in that regard.
China is our fourth largest trading partner and one of the world's
half dozen largest trading nations. We look forward to working with
China to help it implement fully those commitments that it enters into
and to advance the Doha Agenda Trade Negotiations. As you also know,
human rights and religious freedom are another key area of our
bilateral relationship and today we discussed both of the elements in
this key area of human rights and religious freedom.
We are a little concerned that, after a year of promising steps in
this area and a very productive U.S.-China human rights dialogue last
December, we have seen some setbacks on human rights that threaten to
undercut the progress that we have previously made. Since the December
dialogue, we have been deeply concerned by the execution of a
prominent Tibetan, the detention of more than a dozen democracy
activists and the continuation of a pattern of inconsistent and
irregular legal and judicial procedures. Our goal is to turn human
rights into a positive element in our relationship and I look forward
to further dialogue and sending more delegations from the United
States to China and vice-versa to continue in our efforts to improve
the human rights situation, the human rights dialogue, and a better
understanding of each other's positions.
Indeed, building an open and creative society is part of fighting
terrorism and enhancing China's cooperation with the world. Our
post-September 11 experience has demonstrated our capacity to advance
our relationship across the board. We have developed important
bilateral dialogues in HIV/AIDS, the environment and law enforcement.
Our cooperation will advance global efforts to address transnational
problems.
The growing cooperation between the United States and China enhances
both our nations, helps stabilize the region and benefits the world. I
would like to thank my Chinese hosts for all their hospitality and I
also want to take note of the fact that I got word a few moments ago
of a serious earthquake in Western China that caused the loss of life
of, so far, 89 or so individuals. And I extend my sympathy and
condolences to the families of those who have been lost in this
tragedy. Now, I am ready to take a few questions before I have to
leave for another meeting.
SPOKESMAN BOUCHER: Let's begin with Mr. Gedda.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, could you say whether the Chinese leadership
is interested now in doing more concerning the problem of the nuclear
weapons development in North Korea.
SECRETARY POWELL: I think they are anxious to play as helpful a role
as they can. They have a long, deep and historical relationship with
North Korea. They understand North Korea and North Korea's leaders. I
think they prefer to play their role quietly, but they have a clear
understanding of our desires and our interests and I thanked Foreign
Minister Tang and Vice President Hu for the role that they have been
playing. And we, perhaps, will have some other ideas that we can
pursue with the Chinese in the days and weeks ahead. And we started to
discuss some of those ideas today, but I am not at liberty to share
them with you.
QUESTION: I'm from China Youth Daily, my name is Yuan Tiecheng. Over
the past few weeks you have had frequent contact with Mr. Tang
Jiaxuan. I wonder how the United States makes sure that China's
interests will not be harmed in Iraq after the war against Saddam
Hussein.
SECRETARY POWELL: Yes, I have had quite a number of opportunities to
meet with Minister Tang. We have been doing everything we can to avoid
a war. We have been using the United Nations, both the United States
and China and other members of the Security Council. We're working
hard to see if we can get Iraq to comply and avoid a war and there is
still time to avoid a war. We must not be afraid of a conflict, if a
conflict is what it takes to remove weapons of mass destruction from
Iraq. We are not talking to any of our friends and colleagues about
slicing up the pie so to speak after the conflict. If there is a
conflict and the United States leads a coalition into Iraq, everything
we do during that conflict and after that conflict will be for the
purpose of providing a better life for the Iraqi people. And with
respect to such issues as oil and their other natural assets, those
assets belong to the Iraqi people and everything we do would preserve
those assets and make sure they serve the Iraqi people and not anyone
else. And so, I am sure that China shares that same point of view if a
conflict comes, but China is working just as hard as the United States
to see if such a conflict can be avoided. But the Security Council
must meet its responsibilities if Iraq does not comply. That was the
clear intent of UN Resolution 1441 when it was passed in November. We
now have four months of experience, almost, with that resolution, and
so far Iraq continues to play games, continues to deceive, continues
to let out a little bit here, a little bit there, but has not answered
the basic questions: What happened to the anthrax? Where is the
botulism toxin? What have you done with the missiles? Why aren't you
getting us the documents that are needed? Why can't people be
interviewed without having minders and tape recorders present? Stop
the game. But the game continues because that is Saddam Hussein's
intent, to try to hang onto these weapons of mass destruction, and
that must not be allowed. That was the clear intent of Resolution
1441. To end his possession, to make sure that weapons of mass
destruction no longer exist in Iraq and that it will happen one way or
the other -- peacefully or through the use of force.
SPOKESMAN BOUCHER: Barbara Slavin, USA Today.
SECRETARY POWELL: Mr. Secretary, are you, after the talks that you had
this morning, more reassured that China will not do anything to block
another resolution at the Security Council? And you mentioned human
rights, did you also raise the issue of the North Koreans in China who
are being arrested and sent back against their will? Thank you.
SECRETARY POWELL: I made it clear to Foreign Minister Tang what our
point of view was. There is no resolution before the Council yet, but
there will be one shortly, and so it would have been inappropriate for
me to press him for a decision, particularly since it is a resolution
we won't be putting up for a vote immediately. I hope that after the
resolution has been presented and they have had a chance to study it
and we see what happens over the next couple of weeks with respect to
reports that we are expecting from the Chief Inspectors, Dr. Blix and
Dr. ElBaradei. When all of that has been dealt with, then each member
of the Security Council will have to make their own judgment as to
whether or not Iraq is complying, Iraq is not complying, and what
appropriate action should be. And I am quite sure that China will
approach that matter with the same seriousness it has approached this
entire situation from the beginning.
On the second question, it has been a part of our dialogue, but we
didn't focus on it in any great detail this morning. But it has been
part of our ongoing dialogue with the Chinese but it wasn't a major
item of discussion this morning.
SPOKESMAN BOUCHER: Young lady in here.
QUESTION: China Central Television Station. Good afternoon, Mr.
Powell. My question is also about Iraq. Just as you mentioned the
resolution of United Nations, if the United Nations does not produce a
resolution which permits the United States to take military action
towards Iraq, what will United States do next step? In the opinion of
the United States, what is role of United Nations? That's all, thank
you.
SECRETARY POWELL: We hope that Iraq will comply. That is the reason
why we went to the United Nations in the first place to get a strong
Resolution 1441, that made it clear that the international community
was unified and that Iraq had to disarm. If Iraq does not comply and
the United Nations, in the presence of that noncompliance refuses to
act, I think it would be a bad day for the United Nations -- not
willing to step up to its responsibilities. And, as President Bush has
said all along, he reserves the right to lead a coalition of the
willing to disarm Iraq if the United Nations is not willing to provide
a coalition to do so. We believe that there is sufficient authority in
Resolution 1441, 678 and 687 and earlier resolutions for such action,
but it is also clear that if Iraq is not complying, a second
resolution would be very, very helpful in order to make the case to
the international community. And so let us hope that a peaceful
solution can be found. But let's also not lose sight of the fact that
the only reason that Iraq has done anything -- anything -- in the last
four to six months is because of the threat of force and because of
the unity of the international community. This is not the time to step
away from this responsibility. This is the time to disarm Iraq, one
way or the other.
SPOKESMAN BOUCHER: We'll go back there, in the corner.
QUESTION: I'm with CNN. What does China stand to gain if it were to
support the new resolution that you will propose at the United
Nations? If it were to support the new resolution that you plan to
table in the UN? And also, China wants, prefers, the U.S. to directly
talk with Pyongyang. Why is it so difficult for the U.S. to do so?
SECRETARY POWELL: On the second question, we talked directly to the
DPRK when we entered into the Agreed Framework in 1994. We talked
directly to them, came up with an Agreed Framework and that Agreed
Framework clearly led the world to believe that North Korea was not
working on weapons of a nuclear character. Yongbyon was all sealed up.
We also believe that North Korea was faithful to the obligation it
entered into with South Korea in 1992 with respect to no nuclear
programs. Since 1994 the United States, in direct conversation with
North Korea, gave other assurances. The President of the United States
wrote a letter to North Korea, saying that we have no intent against
you that you should be concerned about. In the fall of 2000, a joint
statement was issued between the United States and North Korea dealing
with these matters, but during that whole period of time, for most of
that period of time, while we were observing these agreements, North
Korea was off developing a technology to enrich uranium. In effect, it
was deceiving the world with respect to its true ambitions concerning
nuclear weapons. And we found out about it and we brought it to the
attention of our friends in the region, then we brought it to the
attention of the North Koreans who admitted it. And then the
International Atomic Energy Agency, concerned about all this, has now
reported it to the Security Council. So it is not just a matter
between the United States and North Korea, just because North Korea
says it is a matter between just the United States and North Korea. It
is a matter that is of concern to Japan. It is a matter of concern to
South Korea who has found its commitment to North Korea, its agreement
with North Korea, violated. It is a matter for the International
Atomic Energy Agency that reported it to the Security Council. It is a
matter for the international community. The United States believes
that, therefore, dialogue should begin in a multilateral setting
because there are many equities involved, many countries around the
world. And, as part of that multilateral setting, the United States
would be present, discussing it with other persons present, to include
North Korea. And merely because North Korea says this is the only way
they will deal does not necessarily mean that it is the right way with
which to deal with this issue. The other half of your question, what
does China have to gain? That's not the right question. The right
question is, the whole world, what the whole world stands to gain?
What we stand to gain is a rogue regime such as Iraq not having
weapons of mass destruction, chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons
with which to threaten their neighbors, or perhaps even become a
source of such weaponry to terrorists. We should focus on that regime
and what it has done and how it has tried to deceive the world for
these past twelve years about its weapons of mass destruction and its
intent to develop even more weapons of mass destruction. The burden
for this crisis rests squarely with Iraq and with Saddam Hussein.
SPOKESMAN BOUCHER: Last question right in here, this gentlemen.
QUESTION: Michael Anti, 21st Century World Herald, Chinese Media. So,
I want to ask you two questions. The first: You showed yourself to the
world as a dove in the Afghanistan war, but you now become a hawk in
Iraqi issues and speak words just like Rumsfeld, so why you change?
The second question is, you want to persuade China to don't give their
veto to Iraq resolutions and you want China to give more pressure to
North Korea. What's the exchange, what do you give some gift to China,
for example: Taiwan issues.
SECRETARY POWELL: It's very unwise to stereotype people with one-word
labels. I have always advocated peaceful solutions to international
crises. I've been a soldier. I've fought in wars. I've lost friends in
wars. I've sent men and women to die in battle. So, I hate war. And
anything that can be done to avoid a war should be done. But when a
war cannot be avoided, fight it and fight it well. Now, what does that
make me? You pick. But that is my personal philosophy. Avoid war, but
if you have to fight it, do it well, get it over with and get back to
building the peace. And that remains our philosophy and we have tried
in every way possible to prevent there being a conflict with Iraq. But
it is Iraq that is denying the world the opportunity for a peaceful
solution.
With respect to North Korea and China, I think I've covered this in
considerable detail. I think that it is in everyone's interest to find
a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the crisis with Iraq, and also
to find a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the situation that
currently exists between the international community and North Korea,
and that's what we'll continue to try to do.
Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
