INDEX
Tuesday, December 3, 1996
Briefer: Nicholas Burns
KOREA:
SOUTH: Update on Non-Proliferation Talks/Future ........ 25-26
Membership in MTCR
NORTH: Mtgs with US at Panmunjom ....................... 26
DPB #194
QUESTION: Non-Proliferation Talks have been going on here yesterday and today.
MR. BURNS: Yes.
QUESTION: What's going on with the --
MR. BURNS: Glad you asked. I meant to tell you about this. I spoke with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Bob Einhorn this morning. He has concluded a third round -- the third round of the U. S.-South Korean Task Force on non-proliferation discussions.
The talks centered on issues of common concern, both bilateral and multilateral, concerning missile proliferation and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Our shared objective with the government of South Korea about its future membership in the missile technology control regime -- we want to see South Korea become a member of that organization, and the importance of working with South Korea and others in implementing the chemical weapons convention.
We also discussed further cooperation in support of our mutual non-proliferation objectives both in Asia and around the world. They were very successful talks. I know Mr. Einhorn felt that it was worth having them, that they made some progress and we look forward to our future talks with the South Koreans.
QUESTION: Did allegations --
MR. BURNS: Excuse me?
QUESTION: (Inaudible) -- anything to say about long-range missiles?
MR. BURNS: I can just tell you, George, that a variety of issues came up, including issues pertaining to South Korea's own activities; that as South Korea looks to the future, of course, we want to make sure that, as a member of the MTCR, it is in compliance with its commitments, and we have every reason to believe that will be the case.
QUESTION: Is it your understanding that the South Koreans are complying with their bilateral agreement with the United States of 1979 on the range of their missiles?
MR. BURNS: Well, I can tell you in response to that most of these conversations were confidential. So I can't confirm the basis of your question. I can just say we had good discussions, constructive discussions, confidential ones which I am not going to be talking about in public.
QUESTION: (Inaudible) outside of this meeting, just independently confirm the fact that they -- whether or not they are complying with the 1979 agreement?
MR. BURNS: I simply have -- I have no comment to make on that particular question.
Yes.
QUESTION: Do you have anything on U.S. and North Korea delegations meeting in Panmunjom?
MR. BURNS: No, I do not. I don't have anything for you on that.
(The briefing concluded at 2:32 p.m.)
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