Congressional Delegation to Visit North Korea
(Six lawmakers embark on fact-finding mission) (540) Representative Curt Weldon (Republican of Pennsylvania) is leading a bipartisan delegation of six lawmakers to North Korea on a fact-finding mission, according to a statement from Weldon's office. "As America makes an effort to settle our differences peacefully, this fact-finding mission will help Congress better understand the issues facing North Korea," Weldon said in the May 28 press release. "I am hopeful that once a dialogue is established, we can eventually address issues like nuclear weapons production and drug trafficking that have prevented us from working together." Weldon serves on the House Armed Services Committee and is chairman of its Subcommittee on Military Procurement. He is also a member of the House Science Committee and is the founder and co-chairman of the Congressional Missile Defense Caucus. The other members of the Congressional delegation to Pyongyang are Representatives Joseph Wilson (Republican of South Carolina), Jeff Miller (Republican of Texas), Eliot Engel (Democrat of New York), Silvestre Reyes (Democrat of Texas), and Solomon Ortiz (Democrat of Texas). Following is the text of the news release: (begin text) Congressman Curt Weldon Pennsylvania's 7th District Congressional Delegation to Visit North Korea Weldon Hopes Historic Trip will Lead to Improved Relations Washington DC -- May 28, 2003 -- After more than a year of negotiating with North Korean officials, Congressman Curt Weldon (R-PA) will lead a bipartisan group of lawmakers in a historic trip to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea this week. The group, which is departing from Andrews Air Force Base today, is scheduled to arrive in Pyongyang on Friday, May 30th. The delegation will meet with North Korean officials in an effort to improve relations between the two nations. Working closely with Secretary of State Colin Powell, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Ambassador Charles H. Pritchard and North Korea's deputy UN Ambassador, Han Song Ryol, the delegation recently received an invitation to visit the country. "As America makes an effort to settle our differences peacefully, this fact-finding mission will help Congress better understand the issues facing North Korea," noted Weldon. "I am hopeful that once a dialogue is established, we can eventually address issues like nuclear weapons production and drug trafficking that have prevented us from working together." Throughout his career, Congressman Weldon has led Congressional Delegations designed to establish dialogues with countries that are not fully engaged with the U.S. In the past Weldon has led 32 trips to Russia and two trips to China where he met with President Jiang Zemin and addressed China's National Defense University on two separate occasions. Joining Congressman Weldon will be Congressman Sylvester Ryes (D-TX), Congressman Solomon Ortiz (D-TX), Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC), Congressman Jeff Miller (R-FL), and Congressman Eliot Engle (D-NY). "I want to commend the Bush administration for their efforts, and I feel that a layered, multi-lateral approach is the best way to overcome our differences," said Weldon. "Through our talks, it is my hope that we can identify areas of cooperation that will not only be mutually beneficial to our nations, but will bring a brighter future to the people of the Korean peninsula." (end text) (Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
