Report From Congress

REPORT FROM CONGRESS

WICKER NOTES HIGH STAKES INVOLVED IN NORTH KOREA TALKS

After more than a year, six-party talks have resumed in efforts to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program. While this issue has raised concerns among its neighbors, the prospect of North Korea manufacturing nuclear warheads to use or share with terrorists represents a danger to the entire world.

The Clinton Administration appeared to have reached agreement in 1994 with North Korea to end its nuclear program, but the deal quickly fell apart. That experience gave way to talks that included the U.S., Russia, China, Japan, North Korea, and South Korea, which have been off and on for more than three years. In September 2005, the North Koreans agreed to give up their nuclear program in exchange for energy and food assistance, but they soon made other demands that undermined the deal. They walked away from the negotiations once again.

RAISING THE STAKES

The stakes got much higher two months ago after North Korea detonated a nuclear weapon and declared it had joined the "nuclear club." The world community universally condemned the nuclear test, and the United Nations approved tough sanctions, isolating North Korea further. That provocative act also upset the Chinese government, which has been an ally of North Korea's ruthless dictator Kim Jung Il. Pressure from the Chinese and the sting of sanctions may have convinced the North Koreans to return to the negotiating table.

While most observers do not expect a quick breakthrough, it is encouraging that the rest of the world has acted in unison and helped produce another round of talks. There is far-reaching concern because the unpredictable regime of Kim Jung Il has a track record of arms dealing. It has sold missile technology to the highest bidder in recent years, and its customers have included state sponsors of terrorism such as Iran and Syria.

NUKES POSE CATASTROPHIC THREAT

Leaders in world capitals far and wide understand that adding nuclear weapons to the arms equation would pose a threat that would reach far beyond the Korean Peninsula. It would be catastrophic if North Korea were allowed to produce nuclear weapons and make them available to terrorist groups intent on doing harm to the U.S. or its allies.

Apart from the weapons trafficking concerns, North Korea has also been developing long-range missile capability that could threaten the U. S. mainland. Much of what the North Koreans say is political theater, but they have brazenly threatened a nuclear missile attack on the U. S. if sanctions are not lifted. Congress has wisely provided additional funding to speed deployment of a missile defense system for our country. I was also encouraged to hear incoming Defense Secretary Robert Gates say he would continue to push for such a system to counter a possible threat from North Korea and others.

AMBASSADOR HILL STANDS FIRM

I have met with Assistant Secretary of State Chris Hill, who is heading the U. S. negotiating team. He is one of our most capable diplomats and has been firm in dealing with the North Koreans. "We have made it clear to the North Koreans that we do not accept them as a nuclear power," he said. Ambassador Hill has been resolute in saying that tough sanctions will stay in place "until we achieve denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."

http://www.house.gov/wicker/highstakes.htm