12 August 1997
(Sees opportunity for further constructive dialogue) (1040) Washington -- A bipartisan delegation from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence visited Pyongyang August 9-11 and concluded that opportunity for further constructive dialogue between the United States and North Korea exists. In a joint statement released August 12, the seven-member Congressional Delegation (CODEL) said it stressed a number of points in its meetings with North Korean officials, including: -- The United States has a strong and abiding national security interest in helping defuse tension on the Korean peninsula. The four party talks should be responsibly pursued; -- North Korea must cease its sale of advanced weaponry, missile systems, and supporting technologies to Iran and other "rogue" states; -- The United States stands firmly behind its military and security commitments to the Republic of Korea; and -- North Korea must fully honor its commitments in the nuclear arena, as specified in the Agreed Framework, including allowing International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) challenge inspections and comply with its responsibilities to the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO). The delegation said it believes talks were constructive in demonstrating bipartisan support for United States policy to encourage North Korea to engage in honest and good faith negotiations to lessen tensions in the region. According to the joint statement, the delegation emphasized that Americans are a compassionate people, generous in their willingness to alleviate suffering, but who seek assurance that food relief is used to feed those North Korean people most in need. The delegation stressed that sanctions must be negotiated as part of a larger political package involving proliferation and other security matters. The delegation traveled to North Korea as part of a larger trip to Asia, which includes visits to Beijing, Tokyo and Seoul. The delegation returns to the United States on August 15. Following is the text of the joint statement: (begin text) JOINT STATEMENT OF THE HOUSE PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION VISIT TO THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA AUGUST 12, 1997 From August 9 through August 11, a bipartisan, seven-member Congressional Delegation (CODEL) from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) was in Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) to meet with North Korean officials and gather first-hand information about the current situation in that volatile region. This was a precedent-setting visit to North Korea by a Congressional delegation of this size, seniority, and breadth of experience. The delegation was led by HPSCI Chairman Porter J. Goss (R-FL). The other Members of Congress comprising the CODEL were Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Bill McCollum (R-FL), Jane Harman (D-CA), Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Charles F. Bass (R-NH) and Jim Gibbons (R-NV). In addition to their assignment on the HPSCI, these members represent a wealth of experience on relevant issues based on their other committee assignments. The delegation's interlocutors were headed by Mr. Kang Sok-ju, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), and Mr. Li Hyong-chol, Director of American Affairs of the MFA. All discussions took place in the Pyongyang region. Despite repeated requests by CODEL members, the delegation was unable to travel to famine-stricken areas where it had hoped to determine the extent of the problem and investigate the system used for distributing food aid. In several formal and informal working sessions with the North Koreans, the CODEL made the following points: -- The United States has a strong and abiding national security interest in helping defuse tension on the Korean peninsula. The four party talks should be responsibly pursued; -- North Korea must cease its sale of advanced weaponry, missile systems, and supporting technologies to Iran and other "rogue" states; -- The United States stands firmly behind its military and security commitments to the Republic of Korea; -- North Korea must fully honor its commitments in the nuclear arena, as specified in the Agreed Framework, including allowing International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) challenge inspections and comply with its responsibilities to the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO); -- North Korea's cooperation in helping locate and return the remains of several United States military personnel killed in the Korean War is a positive step. Such steps must be continued and expanded; -- Provocative acts such as those that occurred in the Demilitarized Zone on July 16, 1997 are counter-productive to cooperation and understanding; -- To participate fully in the opportunities of the world community, North Korea must open up its society; and -- North Korea must make its food distribution to the civilian population fully transparent and verifiable, in order to facilitate the United States' consideration of additional assistance. The food aid cannot be diverted to the military. Though the visit was carefully managed by the North Korean hosts, the tenor of the discussions was cordial but candid. Frank discussion about mutual mistrust occurred on several items of a lengthy agenda. The delegation believes talks were constructive in demonstrating bipartisan support for United States policy to encourage North Korea to engage in honest and good faith negotiations to lessen tensions in the region. The North Koreans were focused on seeing United States sanctions lifted and the need for additional food assistance. In addition, the North Koreans stated their refusal to abandon their centralized political and economic systems. The delegation emphasized that Americans are a compassionate people, generous in their willingness to alleviate suffering, but who seek assurance that food relief is used to feed those North Korean people most in need. The delegation stressed that sanctions must be negotiated as part of a larger political package involving proliferation and other security matters. The delegation will provide President Clinton, Speaker Gingrich, Minority Leader Gephardt, and the Department of State with a full report of the substance of its discussions and its impressions. The delegation concludes that opportunity for further constructive dialogue exists and will confer with other Congressional committees of jurisdiction. The CODEL travelled to North Korea as part of a trip to Asia, which includes visits to Beijing, China; Tokyo, Japan; and Seoul, South Korea. The delegation returns to the United States on August 15. (end text)