State Department Noon Briefing

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2000 - 1:15 P.M.
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

Q: North Korea. The President is not going, he said today.

MR. REEKER: Right.

Q: Could you help and tell us how - I assume the US policy hasn't
changed, and he suggested it hasn't changed. What is it in the 20 - I
don't know, what - 27 or 24 days the Administration has left that
will be done to pursue this policy of reconciliation in North Korea?
Can you hit some of the high spots?

MR. REEKER: I don't think really, Barry, I can add anything beyond the
statement that the President made. He addressed it a little bit, but
there was a formal statement, written statement, put out by the White
House. And if you look at that, you will see a little more detail
there.

I do not believe - I am not aware of any travel plans, and the
President indicated this was simply a lack of time to prepare
adequately for such a trip that really was the determining factor in
his decision not to travel to North Korea.

Q: So you're not going to put out a statement?

MR. REEKER: No. We can get you a copy if you would like one from --

Q: Perhaps it doesn't answer this question, so let me try. Is anybody
from the State Department going to go to North Korea?

MR. REEKER: What I just said was I was not aware of anybody traveling
to North Korea.

Q: Oh, I thought you meant the White House. All right, okay.

(The briefing was concluded at 2:05 P.M.)