DATE=3/31/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-247448
TITLE=KOREA - U-S / MISSILES (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=JOHN LARKIN
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:  

INTRO: UNITED STATES OFFICIALS RETURNED TO SEOUL WEDNESDAY FROM 
TWO DAYS OF MISSILE TALKS IN PYONGYANG WITH NORTH KOREAN 
OFFICIALS.  AS JOHN LARKIN REPORTS FROM THE SOUTH KOREAN CAPITAL,
U-S OFFICIALS WARNED PYONGYANG OF SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES  IF IT 
DOES NOT CURB ITS MISSILE PROGRAM.

TEXT:  ROBERT EINHORN -- THE DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE 
FOR  NON-PROLIFERATION -- TOLD REPORTERS IN SEOUL HE REITERATED  
WASHINGTON'S OFFER OF CLOSER TIES WITH THE NORTH, IF IT STOPS  
DEVELOPING, TESTING AND EXPORTING MISSILE TECHNOLOGY.

MR. EINHORN SAYS THE DISCUSSIONS -- THE FOURTH ROUND OF MISSILE 
TALKS  SINCE 1996 -- HAD BEEN FRANK BUT DID NOT PRODUCE ANY 
BREAKTHROUGHS.  HE  SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS NOT PREPARED TO 
MAKE CONCESSIONS BEFORE PYONGYANG  PROVIDES EVIDENCE IT HAS 
CURTAILED ITS DEVELOPMENT OF MISSILES.

NORTH KOREA IS THE WORLD'S TOP EXPORTER OF MISSILES.  WASHINGTON 
WANTS PYONGYANG TO STOP PRODUCING AND EXPORTING MISSILES, AND IS 
PARTICULARLY CONCERNED IT MAY DEVELOP AN INTERCONTINENTAL 
BALLISTIC MISSILE WOULD COULD REACH THE UNITED STATES.

THE NORTH HAS REFUSED TO HALT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT -- ON 
SECURITY GROUNDS -- BUT HAS INDICATED IT MAY CURB EXPORTS, IF THE
UNITED STATES PROVIDES CASH COMPENSATION.

WASHINGTON HAS REFUSED TO DO SO.  MR. EINHORN SAYS FURTHER 
TESTING AND EXPORTS OF MEDIUM-RANGE MISSILES WOULD RESULT IN WHAT
HE CALLS "SERIOUS  NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES."  HE DID NOT SPECIFY 
WHAT THESE MAY BE.

ANOTHER SENIOR U-S OFFICIAL INDICATED THE GULF BETWEEN THE TWO 
SIDES WAS UNBRIDGED, FOLLOWING THE MEETING.  HE SAYS NORTH KOREA 
IS CLINGING TO UNREALISTIC DEMANDS FOR COMPENSATION.

MR. EINHORN TRAVELS TO TOKYO THURSDAY, WHERE HE WILL BRIEF 
JAPANESE OFFICIALS ON THE TALKS.  JAPAN IS STILL FUMING OVER 
NORTH KOREA'S TEST-FIRING OF A MISSILE OVER ITS TERRITORY, IN 
AUGUST.

THE U-S ENVOY SAYS NORTH KOREA SEES THE FLAWS IN ITS RELIANCE ON 
MISSILE EXPORTS FOR HARD CURRENCY.  BUT HE SAYS MISSILE TALKS ARE
A LESSER PRIORITY FOR PYONGYANG, BEHIND NUCLEAR ISSUES AND 
REPAIRING ITS CRIPPLED ECONOMY. (SIGNED)

NEB / JL / GC / WD

 

31-Mar-99 5:17 AM EST (1017 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.