KL/00/07/10
U.S.-DPRK MISSILE TALKS: REMARKS BY ROBERT EINHORN,
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NON-PROLIFERATION
At 9: 30 a.m., prior to the beginning of the U.S.-DPRK missile talks scheduled to begin July 10, 2000, in Kuala Lumpur, the head of the U.S. delegation, Assistant Secretary of State for Non-Proliferation, Mr. Robert Einhorn, made the following remarks:
"It has been over 14 months since the last round of U.S.-North Korean bilateral missile talks. As you all know, much has happened in the interval since then. We had a comprehensive review of U.S. policy toward North Korea during that period, led by former Secretary of Defense Bill Perry. That review produced a new framework for U.S. policy toward North Korea. We would be prepared to move step by step toward a fundamentally improved relationship with the DPRK, as the North Koreans address issues of concern to the United States and its allies, particularly the nuclear and missile questions.
Also, since our last round, the North Koreans have embarked on a policy of expanding contacts with the outside world, including a resumption of normalization talks with Japan, summit-level meetings with China and soon Russia, establishing diplomatic relations with Italy, Australia, the Philippines and other countries, and soon participation in the ASEAN Regional Forum. Perhaps most dramatic, of course, was the recent historic visit by South Korean President Kim Dae-jung to Pyongyang in early June. The United States strongly supports President Kim's policy of engagement with the North, and we hope that it will lead to lasting peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.
All of these developments provide a positive, promising backdrop to the talks we are about to have here in Kuala Lumpur with North Korea on missile issues. We are looking forward to detailed, constructive discussions of issues that we believe will have an important impact on the security of the Asia-Pacific region and of the world at large. And finally, we are pleased to be here in Kuala Lumpur, which has been the site of several successful U.S.-DPRK meetings in the past."
No other press events are scheduled at this time.