DATE=2/25/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245970
TITLE=CONGRESS-FOREIGN POLICY (L ONLY)
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

*INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS NORTH KOREA 
POSES A MAJOR THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES.   BUT SHE SAYS 
WASHINGTON SHOULD NOT SUSPEND FOOD AID AT A TIME OF FAMINE.  
V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS DURING AN APPEARANCE ON CAPITOL 
HILL, MS. ALBRIGHT ALSO FACED TOUGH QUESTIONING ABOUT KOSOVO, AND
AMERICA'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE U-N.

TEXT:   THE SECRETARY OF STATE   JUST BACK FROM THE KOSOVO PEACE 
TALKS - - IS SHUTTLING BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, TRYING TO 
SELL THE ADMINISTRATION'S FOREIGN POLICY.

SENATORS HAVE BEEN POLITE AND RESTRAINED IN THEIR QUESTIONING.   
NOT SO, MEMBERS OF THE MORE BOISTEROUS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

HOUSE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN BENJAMIN GILMAN 
- - A NEW YORK REPUBLICAN - -  WELCOMED SECRETARY ALBRIGHT WITH 
SOME TOUGH TALK ABOUT NORTH KOREA.

                        ///GILMAN ACT///

         THERE IS GREAT CONCERN, MADAM SECRETARY,  IN THE 
         CONGRESS OVER OUR NORTH KOREA POLICY AND ASSISTANCE 
         PROGRAMS.  UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION, NORTH KOREA HAS 
         BECOME THE LARGEST RECIPIENT OF U-S FOREIGN AID IN ASIA.

                          ///END ACT///

MS. ALBRIGHT MADE CLEAR THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONCERNED ABOUT 
PYONGYANG'S MISSILE PROGRAM, AND SUSPECTS THE NORTH KOREANS MAY 
BE CONDUCTING NUCLEAR RESEARCH AT A SECRET SITE.   BUT SHE LEFT 
NO DOUBT U-S HUMANITARIAN AID WILL CONTINUE TO FLOW THROUGH 
INTERNATIONAL RELIEF AGENCIES.

                       ///ALBRIGHT ACT///

         WE DO CONSIDER THIS A HUGE THREAT TO US,AND ARE DEALING 
         WITH IT IN WHAT WE THINK IS THE MOST RATIONAL WAY OF 
         WORKING WITH OUR ALLIES - - THE SOUTH KOREANS AND THE 
         JAPANESE - - WHO ALSO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THIS.

                          ///END ACT///

THE SECRETARY OF STATE ALSO HEARD FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS WORRIED 
ABOUT PROSPECTS FOR AN OPEN-ENDED DEPLOYMENT IN KOSOVO.  MISSOURI
DEMOCRAT PAT DANNER SPOKE ABOUT THE POSSIBLE IMPACT ON U-S TROOP 
MORALE.

                        ///DANNER ACT///

         BECAUSE WE ARE BECOMING A POLICE ORGANIZATION RATHER 
         THAN A MILITARY ORGANIZATION WE ARE FINDING RECRUITING 
         IS DROPPING OFF.

                          ///END ACT///

THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S RESPONSE WAS BLUNT.

                       ///ALBRIGHT ACT///

         I HAVE THE HIGHEST RESPECT FOR THE U-S MILITARY.  THEY 
         ARE THE BEST IN THE WORLD AND THE BEST TRAINED.  AND I 
         WOULD NEVER FOR A MOMENT WASTE THEM IN SOMETHING THAT 
         WAS NOT IMPORTANT TO U-S NATIONAL INTERESTS.

                          ///END ACT///

HER WORDS WERE EQUALLY STRONG ON THE NEED TO PAY AMERICA'S 
ARREARS TO THE UNITED NATIONS.  CONGRESSIONAL CONSERVATIVES HAVE 
PUT CONDITIONS ON THE MONEY DEEMED UNACCEPTABLE BY THE WHITE 
HOUSE.  (OPT) NEW JERSEY REPUBLICAN CHRIS SMITH  SAYS THEY WANT A
BAN ON AID TO FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAMS ABROAD RUN BY GROUPS THAT 
CAMPAIGN FOR ABORTION RIGHTS.

                         ///SMITH ACT///

         THERE ARE MANY OF US WHO BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY THAT 
         SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS THAT VIOLATE THE SOVEREIGNTY OF
         INDIVIDUAL PARLIAMENTS AND COUNTRIES AS REGARDS TO THEIR
         PROTECTION OF THE UNBORN CHILD - - THAT'S WHAT DOES 
         INJURY TO U-S VITAL INTERESTS AROUND THE WORLD.

                    ///END ACT (END OPT) ///

PRESIDENT CLINTON MAY TOUCH ON THESE  ISSUES FRIDAY WHEN HE 
DELIVERS A FOREIGN POLICY ADDRESS IN CALIFORNIA.  DURING HIS 
STAY, MR. CLINTON WILL ALSO MEET WITH FORMER DEFENSE SECRETARY 
WILLIAM PERRY - - A KEY ADVISOR ON NORTH KOREA. (SIGNED)

NEB/PW/WDC/PT 

25-Feb-99 3:25 PM EST (2025 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.