DATE=7/21/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-252018
TITLE=CONGRESS - NORTH KOREA (L)
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS APPROVED A BILL THAT
PROVIDES O/N/E-P/O/I/N/T-F/O/U/R BILLION DOLLARS FOR  SECURITY 
IMPROVEMENTS AT AMERICAN EMBASSIES AROUND THE WORLD.  (EDITORS: 
THE BILL WAS PASSED WITH A VOICE VOTE - - THERE WAS NO VOTE 
TALLY)  BUT AS V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS, LAWMAKERS ADDED 
LANGUAGE ON NORTH KOREA THAT MIGHT PROMPT A PRESIDENTIAL VETO.

TEXT:   THE AUTHORS OF THE BILL TRIED TO AVOID CONTROVERSY IN 
DRAFTING THE LEGISLATION.  WITH IMAGES OF LAST YEAR'S U-S EMBASSY
BOMBINGS IN KENYA AND TANZANIA STILL FAIRLY FRESH IN THEIR MINDS,
THEY QUADRUPLED PRESIDENT CLINTON'S REQUEST FOR REBUILDING AND 
RENOVATING DIPLOMATIC COMPOUNDS AROUND THE WORLD.  THEY THEN 
ADDED THE MONEY TO A MEASURE THAT AUTHORIZES STATE DEPARTMENT 
PROGRAMS AND POLICIES.    AND IN AN EFFORT TO ASSURE EASY 
PASSAGE, THEY  OMITTED PROVISIONS THAT HAVE THREATENED SIMILAR 
LEGISLATION IN THE PAST.

(OPT) THERE WAS NO MENTION IN THE BILL OF AMERICA'S ARREARS TO 
THE UNITED NATIONS...AND THE HOUSE SHIED AWAY FROM ANOTHER FIGHT 
WITH THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OVER INTERNATIONAL FAMILY 
PLANNING.(END OPT)  BUT WHEN IT CAME TIME TO DEBATE THE 
LEGISLATION IN THE HOUSE CHAMBER, A PROBLEM EMERGED AS LAWMAKERS 
APPROVED AN AMENDMENT THAT COULD CREATE TROUBLE WITH THE WHITE 
HOUSE.  IT DEALS WITH A 1994 AGREEMENT IN WHICH NORTH KOREA 
PROMISED TO SHUT DOWN ITS NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM IN EXCHANGE FOR
TWO U-S DESIGNED NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS WITH NO MILITARY 
APPLICATIONS, AS WELL AS TEMPORARY SHIPMENTS OF FUEL OIL.  

DURING THEIR DEBATE,   MOST HOUSE MEMBERS MADE CLEAR THEY DO NOT 
TRUST NORTH KOREA.     BY AN OVERWHELMING MARGIN,   THEY VOTED TO
ADD CONDITIONS TO THE 1994 AGREEMENT.   THEY SAID PRESIDENT 
CLINTON MUST CERTIFY THAT PYONGYANG IS IN COMPLETE COMPLIANCE 
BEFORE THE UNITED STATES FULFILLS ITS OBLIGATIONS.  NEBRASKA 
REPUBLICAN DOUG BEREUTER (BEE'-WRITER) URGED HIS COLLEAGUES TO 
APPROVE THE LINKAGE.

                       ///BEREUTER ACT///

         WE HAVE FALLEN INTO A PATTERN OF COMPLYING WITH 
         EXTORTION ON THEPART OF THE NORTH KOREANS.

                          ///END ACT///

BUT THERE WERE WORDS OF CAUTION FROM OHIO DEMOCRAT TONY HALL - 
-ONE OF THE FEW MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO VISIT NORTH KOREA.

                          ///HALL ACT///

         THIS IS A HIGHLY SENSITIVE TIME IN RELATIONS BETWEEN THE
         UNITED STATES AND NORTH KOREA.  NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO 
         MICRO-MANAGE OUR POLICY.(FOR CONGRESS TO TELL THE 
         PRESIDENT WHAT TO DO).

                          ///END ACT///

FEW LAWMAKERS WERE SWAYED BY HIS PLEAS.    HOUSE MEMBERS VOTED IN
LARGE NUMBER (305 - 120)  TO PUT THE LANGUAGE ON NORTH KOREA IN 
THE BILL.   SIMILAR LEGISLATION PLACING RESTRICTIONS ON 
AGREEMENTS WITH PYONGYANG  IS PENDING IN THE SENATE.  (SIGNED)



NEB/PT

21-Jul-99 6:25 PM EDT (2225 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.