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CNN Live At Daybreak

Reaction to North Korea's Withdrawal From Nuclear Pact

Aired January 10, 2003 - 07:04   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Back to the mixed messages from North Korea. It says it has no intention of producing nuclear weapons, but the country is now pulling out of the Global Nuclear Arms Control Treaty. The state-run news agency says -- quote -- "The withdrawal is a legitimate self-defensive measure taken against the U.S. moves to stifle North Korea."
There is, of course, international reaction to the move. Japan's prime minister expressed deep concern about what he calls "a very serious matter." Plus, Russia says a nuclear pullout a "creates serious concern."

More now on the standoff from Rebecca MacKinnon in Seoul, plus Suzanne Malveaux standing by at the White House. We're going to start with Rebecca this morning.

Rebecca, there seems to be a consensus here in the States that the South Koreans should perceive this move as a big slap in the face, particularly as they were trying to be the powerbrokers on this one. What is being said officially?

REBECCA MACKINNON, CNN TOKYO BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Paula, here in South Korea, the government has just concluded an emergency meeting of its National Security Council, and the message coming out of here is one of grave concern and frustration, calling on North Korea to reverse its decision to drop out of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and calling this a grave threat to international peace and stability.

However, the president here, Kim Dae-jung, is still holding out hope for diplomacy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KIM DAE-JUNG, SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT (through translator): The whole world is opposed to North Korea holding nuclear weapons. Therefore, we must resolve this issue through diplomatic efforts and dialogue between the two Koreas in order to prohibit war on the Korean peninsula.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACKINNON: Now, despite this latest setback, South Korea is still scheduled to hold a meeting with North Korean officials here in Seoul at the end of the month. This is part of a longstanding policy that the South Korean government has to try and engage North Korea, and it appears they haven't quite given up on it yet -- Paula.

ZAHN: Rebecca MacKinnon, thank you very much for that live update.

Meanwhile, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is holding more meetings with North Korean diplomats today. How does the White House view these talks? Let's check in with Suzanne Malveaux.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Under Secretary of State Bolton this morning really saying that the news of North Korea pulling out of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty wasn't really unexpected, but certainly this complicates matters for the Bush administration.

As you mentioned, on one hand, there is defiance, pulling out of the treaty; on the other hand, cooperation, sending those two envoys to meet with Governor Bill Richardson, who you know is a former U.N. ambassador and also has a lot of experience of dealing with the North Koreans.

But the Bush administration's position is: Let them talk, let's hear what they have to say, let's take advantage of this open line of communication, but let's also stick with our position that North Korea must abandon its nuclear weapons programs, and that is not negotiable.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: We don't know what it is that North Korea wants to say to Governor Richardson. The only message that we expect is what America's position is, that we're ready to talk, and that we will not negotiate. That's the United States' position, and you should not see this as anything beyond that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Now, the administration is also making it very clear that Governor Richardson does not speak for the Bush administration. Who does speak for the administration, however, is Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian Affairs James Kelly. He is going to be traveling to the region in the next couple of days to work with allies -- South Korea, Japan and China among them -- to really push for North Korea to change course.

But again, the administration saying no direct talks until there is some sort of evidence that North Korea is serious about disarming -- Paula.

ZAHN: Thanks so much, Suzanne Malveaux.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.







PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Back to the mixed messages from North Korea. It says it has no intention of producing nuclear weapons, but the country is now pulling out of the Global Nuclear Arms Control Treaty. The state-run news agency says -- quote -- "The withdrawal is a legitimate self-defensive measure taken against the U.S. moves to stifle North Korea."

There is, of course, international reaction to the move. Japan's prime minister expressed deep concern about what he calls "a very serious matter." Plus, Russia says a nuclear pullout a "creates serious concern."

More now on the standoff from Rebecca MacKinnon in Seoul, plus Suzanne Malveaux standing by at the White House. We're going to start with Rebecca this morning.

Rebecca, there seems to be a consensus here in the States that the South Koreans should perceive this move as a big slap in the face, particularly as they were trying to be the powerbrokers on this one. What is being said officially?

REBECCA MACKINNON, CNN TOKYO BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Paula, here in South Korea, the government has just concluded an emergency meeting of its National Security Council, and the message coming out of here is one of grave concern and frustration, calling on North Korea to reverse its decision to drop out of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and calling this a grave threat to international peace and stability.

However, the president here, Kim Dae-jung, is still holding out hope for diplomacy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KIM DAE-JUNG, SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT (through translator): The whole world is opposed to North Korea holding nuclear weapons. Therefore, we must resolve this issue through diplomatic efforts and dialogue between the two Koreas in order to prohibit war on the Korean peninsula.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACKINNON: Now, despite this latest setback, South Korea is still scheduled to hold a meeting with North Korean officials here in Seoul at the end of the month. This is part of a longstanding policy that the South Korean government has to try and engage North Korea, and it appears they haven't quite given up on it yet -- Paula.

ZAHN: Rebecca MacKinnon, thank you very much for that live update.

Meanwhile, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is holding more meetings with North Korean diplomats today. How does the White House view these talks? Let's check in with Suzanne Malveaux.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Under Secretary of State Bolton this morning really saying that the news of North Korea pulling out of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty wasn't really unexpected, but certainly this complicates matters for the Bush administration.

As you mentioned, on one hand, there is defiance, pulling out of the treaty; on the other hand, cooperation, sending those two envoys to meet with Governor Bill Richardson, who you know is a former U.N. ambassador and also has a lot of experience of dealing with the North Koreans.

But the Bush administration's position is: Let them talk, let's hear what they have to say, let's take advantage of this open line of communication, but let's also stick with our position that North Korea must abandon its nuclear weapons programs, and that is not negotiable.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: We don't know what it is that North Korea wants to say to Governor Richardson. The only message that we expect is what America's position is, that we're ready to talk, and that we will not negotiate. That's the United States' position, and you should not see this as anything beyond that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Now, the administration is also making it very clear that Governor Richardson does not speak for the Bush administration. Who does speak for the administration, however, is Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian Affairs James Kelly. He is going to be traveling to the region in the next couple of days to work with allies -- South Korea, Japan and China among them -- to really push for North Korea to change course.

But again, the administration saying no direct talks until there is some sort of evidence that North Korea is serious about disarming -- Paula.

ZAHN: Thanks so much, Suzanne Malveaux.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.






Aired January 10, 2003 - 07:04   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Back to the mixed messages from North Korea. It says it has no intention of producing nuclear weapons, but the country is now pulling out of the Global Nuclear Arms Control Treaty. The state-run news agency says -- quote -- "The withdrawal is a legitimate self-defensive measure taken against the U.S. moves to stifle North Korea."
There is, of course, international reaction to the move. Japan's prime minister expressed deep concern about what he calls "a very serious matter." Plus, Russia says a nuclear pullout a "creates serious concern."

More now on the standoff from Rebecca MacKinnon in Seoul, plus Suzanne Malveaux standing by at the White House. We're going to start with Rebecca this morning.

Rebecca, there seems to be a consensus here in the States that the South Koreans should perceive this move as a big slap in the face, particularly as they were trying to be the powerbrokers on this one. What is being said officially?

REBECCA MACKINNON, CNN TOKYO BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Paula, here in South Korea, the government has just concluded an emergency meeting of its National Security Council, and the message coming out of here is one of grave concern and frustration, calling on North Korea to reverse its decision to drop out of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and calling this a grave threat to international peace and stability.

However, the president here, Kim Dae-jung, is still holding out hope for diplomacy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KIM DAE-JUNG, SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT (through translator): The whole world is opposed to North Korea holding nuclear weapons. Therefore, we must resolve this issue through diplomatic efforts and dialogue between the two Koreas in order to prohibit war on the Korean peninsula.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACKINNON: Now, despite this latest setback, South Korea is still scheduled to hold a meeting with North Korean officials here in Seoul at the end of the month. This is part of a longstanding policy that the South Korean government has to try and engage North Korea, and it appears they haven't quite given up on it yet -- Paula.

ZAHN: Rebecca MacKinnon, thank you very much for that live update.

Meanwhile, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is holding more meetings with North Korean diplomats today. How does the White House view these talks? Let's check in with Suzanne Malveaux.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Under Secretary of State Bolton this morning really saying that the news of North Korea pulling out of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty wasn't really unexpected, but certainly this complicates matters for the Bush administration.

As you mentioned, on one hand, there is defiance, pulling out of the treaty; on the other hand, cooperation, sending those two envoys to meet with Governor Bill Richardson, who you know is a former U.N. ambassador and also has a lot of experience of dealing with the North Koreans.

But the Bush administration's position is: Let them talk, let's hear what they have to say, let's take advantage of this open line of communication, but let's also stick with our position that North Korea must abandon its nuclear weapons programs, and that is not negotiable.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: We don't know what it is that North Korea wants to say to Governor Richardson. The only message that we expect is what America's position is, that we're ready to talk, and that we will not negotiate. That's the United States' position, and you should not see this as anything beyond that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Now, the administration is also making it very clear that Governor Richardson does not speak for the Bush administration. Who does speak for the administration, however, is Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian Affairs James Kelly. He is going to be traveling to the region in the next couple of days to work with allies -- South Korea, Japan and China among them -- to really push for North Korea to change course.

But again, the administration saying no direct talks until there is some sort of evidence that North Korea is serious about disarming -- Paula.

ZAHN: Thanks so much, Suzanne Malveaux.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.







PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Back to the mixed messages from North Korea. It says it has no intention of producing nuclear weapons, but the country is now pulling out of the Global Nuclear Arms Control Treaty. The state-run news agency says -- quote -- "The withdrawal is a legitimate self-defensive measure taken against the U.S. moves to stifle North Korea."

There is, of course, international reaction to the move. Japan's prime minister expressed deep concern about what he calls "a very serious matter." Plus, Russia says a nuclear pullout a "creates serious concern."

More now on the standoff from Rebecca MacKinnon in Seoul, plus Suzanne Malveaux standing by at the White House. We're going to start with Rebecca this morning.

Rebecca, there seems to be a consensus here in the States that the South Koreans should perceive this move as a big slap in the face, particularly as they were trying to be the powerbrokers on this one. What is being said officially?

REBECCA MACKINNON, CNN TOKYO BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Paula, here in South Korea, the government has just concluded an emergency meeting of its National Security Council, and the message coming out of here is one of grave concern and frustration, calling on North Korea to reverse its decision to drop out of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and calling this a grave threat to international peace and stability.

However, the president here, Kim Dae-jung, is still holding out hope for diplomacy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KIM DAE-JUNG, SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT (through translator): The whole world is opposed to North Korea holding nuclear weapons. Therefore, we must resolve this issue through diplomatic efforts and dialogue between the two Koreas in order to prohibit war on the Korean peninsula.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACKINNON: Now, despite this latest setback, South Korea is still scheduled to hold a meeting with North Korean officials here in Seoul at the end of the month. This is part of a longstanding policy that the South Korean government has to try and engage North Korea, and it appears they haven't quite given up on it yet -- Paula.

ZAHN: Rebecca MacKinnon, thank you very much for that live update.

Meanwhile, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is holding more meetings with North Korean diplomats today. How does the White House view these talks? Let's check in with Suzanne Malveaux.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Under Secretary of State Bolton this morning really saying that the news of North Korea pulling out of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty wasn't really unexpected, but certainly this complicates matters for the Bush administration.

As you mentioned, on one hand, there is defiance, pulling out of the treaty; on the other hand, cooperation, sending those two envoys to meet with Governor Bill Richardson, who you know is a former U.N. ambassador and also has a lot of experience of dealing with the North Koreans.

But the Bush administration's position is: Let them talk, let's hear what they have to say, let's take advantage of this open line of communication, but let's also stick with our position that North Korea must abandon its nuclear weapons programs, and that is not negotiable.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: We don't know what it is that North Korea wants to say to Governor Richardson. The only message that we expect is what America's position is, that we're ready to talk, and that we will not negotiate. That's the United States' position, and you should not see this as anything beyond that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Now, the administration is also making it very clear that Governor Richardson does not speak for the Bush administration. Who does speak for the administration, however, is Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian Affairs James Kelly. He is going to be traveling to the region in the next couple of days to work with allies -- South Korea, Japan and China among them -- to really push for North Korea to change course.

But again, the administration saying no direct talks until there is some sort of evidence that North Korea is serious about disarming -- Paula.

ZAHN: Thanks so much, Suzanne Malveaux.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.