DATE=1/15/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244213
TITLE=SOUTH KOREA / COHEN (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=JOHN LARKIN
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:  

INTRO:  U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN FRIDAY CALLED ON 
NORTH KOREA TO ABANDON WHAT HE TERMED "PROVOCATIVE" ACTIONS  IN 
FAVOR OF MORE DIALOGUE WITH SOUTH KOREA AND THE UNITED STATES. 
JOHN LARKIN REPORTS FROM SEOUL, SECRETARY COHEN MADE THE APPEAL 
FOLLOWING ANNUAL BILATERAL SECURITY TALKS WITH SOUTH KOREAN 
OFFICIALS.

TEXT : THE DEFENSE SECRETARY URGED NORTH KOREA TO HELP ACHIEVE A 
PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO A NUCLEAR STALEMATE, WHICH COULD SCUTTLE THE
1994  GENEVA AGREED-UPON FRAMEWORK.  UNDER THAT PACT, PYONGYANG 
AGREED TO HALT ITS NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM IN RETURN FOR TWO 
MODERN NUCLEAR REACTORS AND OIL  DELIVERIES.

BUT SECRETARY COHEN'S REQUEST CARRIED A STERN WARNING.

       //COHEN ACT//

 OUR ALLIED MILITARY CAPABILITY HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER NOR MORE 
SURE OF  DECISIVE VICTORY, IF ATTACKED.   NORTH KOREA WILL DASH 
ANY HOPE OF  REALIZING THE BENEFITS OF DIALOGUE AND ENGAGEMENT IF
IT UNDERMINES THE AGREED FRAMEWORK. THE U-S WILL CONTINUE TO WORK
TO PRESERVE THAT  AGREEMENT BUT WE CANNOT DO IT ALONE.



       //END ACT// 

THE 1994 ACCORD IS THREATENED BY A DISPUTE OVER A CONSTRUCTION 
SITE IN NORTH KOREA THAT WASHINGTON SUSPECTS  IS A NUCLEAR PLANT 
IN THE MAKING. THE NORTH DENIES THE ACCUSATION AND  WANTS TO BE 
PAID 300 MILLION DOLLARS IN RETURN FOR ALLOWING AN INSPECTION. 
WASHINGTON HAS  REFUSED.

SECRETARY COHEN URGED PYONGYANG TO ALLOW INSPECTIONS OF THE 
SUSPECT SITE AND NOT TO CARRY OUT A THREAT TO WALK AWAY  FROM THE
PACT.  /// OPT /// SPEAKING AT A JOINT  NEWS CONFERENCE WITH 
SOUTH KOREAN DEFENSE MINISTER CHUN YOUNG-TAEK, HE ALSO  APPEALED 
TO THE FAMINE-STRICKEN NATION TO CEASE ITS LONG-RANGE  MISSILE 
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

       //COHEN ACT// 

 AT A TIME WHEN NORTH KOREA CANNOT FEED ITS OWN PEOPLE, THE 
ENTIRE  PENINSULA WOULD BENEFIT FROM POLICIES IN THE NORTH THAT 
ENCOURAGE THE  BENEFITS OF COOPERATION RATHER THAN RAISE THE RISK
OF CONFRONTATION.

       //END ACT//

THE LOOMING SHOWDOWN HAS INTENSIFIED SECURITY CONCERNS ON THE 
KOREAN  PENINSULA.  NORTH KOREA RECENTLY WARNED IT WAS PRIMED FOR
BATTLE WITH THE UNITED STATES, WHICH HAS 37-THOUSAND TROOPS IN 
SOUTH KOREA. /// END OPT ///

SECRETARY COHEN CALLED NORTH KOREA'S MISSILE TESTS AND SPY  
MISSIONS INTO THE SOUTH  "PROVOCATIVE" BUT SAID THE DISPUTE HAS 
NOT YET REACHED A CRISIS POINT.

      //COHEN ACT//

  /// OPT /// IN THE FACE OF THIS UNCERTAINTY, OUR POLICY MUST 
REMAIN CLEAR AND  UNWAVERING. WE WILL MAINTAIN A STRONG 
DETERRENCE AS WE PURSUE DIALOGUE  WITH NORTH KOREA.

     //END ACT //

THE U-S CONGRESS HAS SET  A JUNE DEADLINE AFTER WHICH IT WILL CUT
FUNDING FOR OIL DELIVERIES TO PYONGYANG -- PROMISED UNDER THE 
AGREED  FRAMEWORK -- UNLESS PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE ON THE 
INSPECTION ISSUE. /// END OPT ///

SECRETARY COHEN  ALSO EXPRESSED WASHINGTON'S  FULL SUPPORT FOR 
SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT KIM DAE-JUNG'S SO-CALLED "SUNSHINE POLICY"
-- EFFORTS TO EXPAND PEACEFUL CONTACTS THROUGH TRADE AND OTHER 
MEANS.  (SIGNED)

NEB/JL/GC/FC/PLM

 

15-Jan-99 4:39 AM EST (0939 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.