Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

North Korea Nuke Talks End

Aired August 29, 2003 - 06:36   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.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It's a game of truth or dare with serious consequences. The nuclear talks in Beijing have ended with North Korea set to declare itself a nuclear power.
Live to Washington now and Skip Loescher.

Good morning -- Skip.

SKIP LOESCHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol.

It has to be a potentially frightening prospect, not only for its immediate neighbors, but for those in the region, and maybe even the United States, if North Korea makes good on its declaration.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LOESCHER (voice-over): What can only be described as a threat by North Korea. It came as the six-party talks in Beijing, aimed at convincing North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons program, were wrapping up.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: North Korea has pursued a foreign policy of opportunism, of brinkmanship and blackmail, and I think this is just more of the same.

LOESCHER: North Korea says it's prepared to publicly declare itself a nuclear power, to prove it by conducting a nuclear test and to show it has the means to deliver nuclear weapons.

PHILIP REEKER, DEPUTY STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: We don't think they should have nuclear weapons, so obviously we don't think they should be testing them.

LOESCHER: What North Korea says it wants is for the U.S. to guarantee its security by agreeing to a nonaggression pact.

MICHAEL O'HANLAN, BROOKINGS INSTITUTE: The North Koreans are playing essentially a hot and cold game here.

LOESCHER: Trying to appear conciliatory, yet tough, and willing to use force, the White House says it wants a diplomatic solution, but the president has repeatedly warned the U.S. will not tolerate nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula. North Korea says that proves the U.S. has a hostile policy towards it, leaving North Korea no choice but to respond.

The question now: Is North Korea's unpredictable regime really ready to make good on its rhetoric, or is it just more bluster?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

There will apparently be another round of diplomatic talks. It isn't clear yet, though, exactly when.

We're live in Washington. I'm Skip Loescher.

Carol -- back to you.

COSTELLO: All right, thank you, Skip.

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 August 29, 2003 - 06:36   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It's a game of truth or dare with serious consequences. The nuclear talks in Beijing have ended with North Korea set to declare itself a nuclear power.
Live to Washington now and Skip Loescher.

Good morning -- Skip.

SKIP LOESCHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol.

It has to be a potentially frightening prospect, not only for its immediate neighbors, but for those in the region, and maybe even the United States, if North Korea makes good on its declaration.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LOESCHER (voice-over): What can only be described as a threat by North Korea. It came as the six-party talks in Beijing, aimed at convincing North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons program, were wrapping up.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: North Korea has pursued a foreign policy of opportunism, of brinkmanship and blackmail, and I think this is just more of the same.

LOESCHER: North Korea says it's prepared to publicly declare itself a nuclear power, to prove it by conducting a nuclear test and to show it has the means to deliver nuclear weapons.

PHILIP REEKER, DEPUTY STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: We don't think they should have nuclear weapons, so obviously we don't think they should be testing them.

LOESCHER: What North Korea says it wants is for the U.S. to guarantee its security by agreeing to a nonaggression pact.

MICHAEL O'HANLAN, BROOKINGS INSTITUTE: The North Koreans are playing essentially a hot and cold game here.

LOESCHER: Trying to appear conciliatory, yet tough, and willing to use force, the White House says it wants a diplomatic solution, but the president has repeatedly warned the U.S. will not tolerate nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula. North Korea says that proves the U.S. has a hostile policy towards it, leaving North Korea no choice but to respond.

The question now: Is North Korea's unpredictable regime really ready to make good on its rhetoric, or is it just more bluster?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

There will apparently be another round of diplomatic talks. It isn't clear yet, though, exactly when.

We're live in Washington. I'm Skip Loescher.

Carol -- back to you.

COSTELLO: All right, thank you, Skip.

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