-Caveat Lector- Can you say 'extortion'? How is it that N. Korea has these missiles ready when the last 'deal' said that they would stop developing them? What's to stop them from taking this package of concessions and continuing to develop their missile program? Hilary http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/asia-pacific/newsid_440000/440710.stm Tuesday, September 7, 1999 Published at 13:25 GMT 14:25 UK US seeks N Korea missile deal Border tensions have increased in the build-up to talks The United States is hoping to ease tensions in the Far East by persuading North Korea to freeze its ballistic missile programme in return for a package of concessions. Negotiators from the two sides begin five days of talks in Berlin on Tuesday aimed at improving the atmosphere on the Korean peninsula. Koreans are calling these the "KK talks", after Charles Kartman, the US envoy, and his opposite number, Kim Gye-gwan, the deputy North Korean foreign minister. For its part, North Korea wants to re-draw its sea-border with South Korea, which was the scene of clashes in June when a North Korean torpedo boat was sunk. Missile test fears Our correspondent in South Korea's capital Seoul, Andrew Wood, says the two delegations have plenty to talk about, but mistrust is rife on both sides. For months relations between North Korea and the rest of the world have been dominated by Pyongyang's preparations to test launch a ballistic missile. Last year it fired a rocket over Japan. North Korea's latest model might be powerful enough to reach the United States. The US is believed to be offering a series of political and economic incentives for the North Koreans to end the missile test programme. But, along with Tokyo and Seoul, Washington has warned that another launch could bring economic penalties against the North. Broken promises In 1994 Pyongyang agreed to freeze its nuclear programme, which could produce weapons-grade plutonium, in return for a US undertaking to arrange construction of two safer light-water reactors. Now, North Korea says there are unacceptable delays in construction of the reactors and accuses the US of breaking a promise to end economic sanctions. The US says it had already begun to lift some restrictions, but points out that further progress depends on North Korea improving relations with its neighbour and enemy to the south. Our correspondent says that in fact relations have deteriorated in the past week. Talking tough South Korean analysts say the North is acting tough on the sea-border issue to improve its negotiating position at the Berlin talks. On Tuesday, the North's Korean Central News Agency warned its neighbour that it "would exercise strong self-defence" if the South "intruded into the military demarcation line" in the Yellow Sea. Analysts also say the North intends to exact a high price for cancelling its ballistic missile programme. Since 1995 North Koreans have been largely dependent on foreign food aid after the agricultural industry collapsed following years of mismanagement and bad weather. North Korea remains technically at war with its southern neighbour after the 1950-53 war ended in an armed truce rather than a peace agreement. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
