DATE=7/27/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=NORTH KOREA/MISSILE (L)
NUMBER=2-252179
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=SINGAPORE
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:    The United States, Japan and South Korea are 
warning North Korea not to go ahead with another test 
of a long range missile, saying doing so would lead to 
serious negative consequences.   Instead, as 
Correspondent Nick Simeone reports, the foreign 
ministers of all three countries meeting in Singapore 
are calling on Pyongyang to seize the opportunity to 
strengthen its economic and political ties with the 
rest of the world.

TEXT:   The three foreign ministers are unanimous in 
their message to Pyongyang -- move ahead with another 
long-range missile test and face a possible cut off of 
foreign assistance.  

Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

            // ALBRIGHT ACT //

We stressed that another long range missile launch, 
whether declared to be a missile test or an attempt to 
place a satellite in orbit would be highly 
destabilizing and would have very serious consequences 
for our effort to build better relations.   

              // END ACT //

Standing at her side, South Korean Foreign Minister 
Hong Soon-Young, whose government has been trying to 
engage the North, was even more blunt.

             // HONG ACT //

In case of another missile firing, there should be 
penalties. They would have to pay the price for this 
act of provocation. 

             // END ACT //

// OPT // North Korea caught the world off guard a 
year ago by test firing a multi-stage rocket that 
could threaten South Korea, Japan and American troops 
stationed in the region.  Military analysts doubted 
the North's explanation that the rocket was used to 
put a satellite into orbit.   For a nation that 
continues to make hostile statements toward South 
Korea and the United States,any advancement in 
Pyongyang's long range missile capability, as well as 
suspicions that the reclusive government is moving 
ahead with its nuclear program, would set off alarm 
bells in the region and beyond. // END OPT //

At their meeting today, the U-S, South Korean and 
Japanese foreign ministers called on Pyongyang to 
respond positively to proposals made in May by William 
Perry -- President Clinton's special advisor on North 
Korea -- to build new and positive relations with its 
neighbors. 

The former U-S Defense Secretary is expected to 
recommend increasing aid to the North if Pyongyang 
agrees to freeze its nuclear program and impose strict 
restraints on ballistic missiles.  (SIGNED)

 Neb/njs/plm



26-Jul-1999 23:28 PM LOC (27-Jul-1999 0328 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.