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North Korea Setting Off Alarm Bells Around World

Aired January 10, 2003 - 13:00   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.


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Ratcheting up the tension, North Korea is setting off alarm bells around the world, warning of World War III and pulling out the treaty to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. The North Koreans say they have no plans to make a nuclear weapon, but their treaty withdrawal is getting immediate reaction in world capitals and the United Nations. That's where our Richard Roth is covering the story -- Richard.
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Kyra. North Korea's ambassador Pak Gil Yon, holding a rare press conference at United Nations headquarters, and he issued a strong attack against the United States. He says it's Washington that is manipulating the International Atomic Energy Agency into criticizing and denouncing North Korea. North Korea withdrawing from the most significant nuclear treaty in the world, the Non-Proliferation Treaty. North Korea threatened to do is that 10 years ago, but held off after an agreement with the United States.

Now the North Korean ambassador says because of Washington's actions and refusal to endorse a full dialogue, it's all unpredictable on the Korean peninsula.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAK GIL YON, NORTH KOREAN AMB. TO U.N.: As far as the peninsula itself, it is peaceful. No such situation happen now. But only due to such a very, very confrontation policy of military nature from the United States. Now situation getting worse and worse. I think nobody can predict any situation might happen in the future. Only due to the United States behaviors.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: The ambassador said that future developments are determined now by the United States. The North Korean nation, led by Kim Jung-Il, a reclusive leader. President Bush said he loathes him. But nevertheless, the two sides are not at war at the moment, and the United States is still pursuing a diplomatic track, and so are other members of the United Nations Security Council. British ambassador Sir Jeremy Greenstock saying today it should still remain with the IAEA in the hopes of some sort of diplomatic solution -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Richard Roth, thank you so much.

Well, the latest North Korean move is keeping the international phone lines humming. President Bush called China's President Jiang Zemin this morning to talk about it. White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux has reaction from the White House -- Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, White House officials are really trying to downplay the significance of North Korea pulling from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, saying that this is not something that's unexpected, it does not come as a surprise, but clearly, the White House trying to round up much support as possible from its allies, from those that are engaged in direct talks with North Korea. President Bush earlier today talking with China's Jiang Zemin for about 15 minutes. The two leaders agreeing, saying yes, this is a common cause.

The president also reiterating, saying that the United States has no intention to invade North Korea. White House aides really defending the Bush policy of economic and diplomatic pressure to get North Korea to change course, talking about the fact that, yes, there are other countries as well that support its position, and that is something that they are heartened by.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECY.: Already this morning, North Korea has been condemned by France, by England. They've drawn the statements of ultimate -- of very serious concern from Australia, from Japan, from Russia. And North Korea continues to take steps in the wrong direction, steps that only hurt their own cause and the cause of the North Korean people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: White House aides insist that yes, they are willing to talk with North Korea, but not negotiate. That is the point here. Also, they say that assistant secretary of state for East Asian affairs James Kelly will be heading to the region. He'll be leaving this weekend. He's going to be meeting with representatives from South Korea Japan, China, as well as other nations, really to push for that diplomatic pressure. Again, the administration hoping that that is what's going to work, defending its policy today, despite these -- despite the defiance of North Korea, this announcement earlier today -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Suzanne Malveaux at the White House, thank you.

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 - 13:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Ratcheting up the tension, North Korea is setting off alarm bells around the world, warning of World War III and pulling out the treaty to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. The North Koreans say they have no plans to make a nuclear weapon, but their treaty withdrawal is getting immediate reaction in world capitals and the United Nations. That's where our Richard Roth is covering the story -- Richard.
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Kyra. North Korea's ambassador Pak Gil Yon, holding a rare press conference at United Nations headquarters, and he issued a strong attack against the United States. He says it's Washington that is manipulating the International Atomic Energy Agency into criticizing and denouncing North Korea. North Korea withdrawing from the most significant nuclear treaty in the world, the Non-Proliferation Treaty. North Korea threatened to do is that 10 years ago, but held off after an agreement with the United States.

Now the North Korean ambassador says because of Washington's actions and refusal to endorse a full dialogue, it's all unpredictable on the Korean peninsula.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAK GIL YON, NORTH KOREAN AMB. TO U.N.: As far as the peninsula itself, it is peaceful. No such situation happen now. But only due to such a very, very confrontation policy of military nature from the United States. Now situation getting worse and worse. I think nobody can predict any situation might happen in the future. Only due to the United States behaviors.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: The ambassador said that future developments are determined now by the United States. The North Korean nation, led by Kim Jung-Il, a reclusive leader. President Bush said he loathes him. But nevertheless, the two sides are not at war at the moment, and the United States is still pursuing a diplomatic track, and so are other members of the United Nations Security Council. British ambassador Sir Jeremy Greenstock saying today it should still remain with the IAEA in the hopes of some sort of diplomatic solution -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Richard Roth, thank you so much.

Well, the latest North Korean move is keeping the international phone lines humming. President Bush called China's President Jiang Zemin this morning to talk about it. White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux has reaction from the White House -- Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, White House officials are really trying to downplay the significance of North Korea pulling from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, saying that this is not something that's unexpected, it does not come as a surprise, but clearly, the White House trying to round up much support as possible from its allies, from those that are engaged in direct talks with North Korea. President Bush earlier today talking with China's Jiang Zemin for about 15 minutes. The two leaders agreeing, saying yes, this is a common cause.

The president also reiterating, saying that the United States has no intention to invade North Korea. White House aides really defending the Bush policy of economic and diplomatic pressure to get North Korea to change course, talking about the fact that, yes, there are other countries as well that support its position, and that is something that they are heartened by.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECY.: Already this morning, North Korea has been condemned by France, by England. They've drawn the statements of ultimate -- of very serious concern from Australia, from Japan, from Russia. And North Korea continues to take steps in the wrong direction, steps that only hurt their own cause and the cause of the North Korean people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: White House aides insist that yes, they are willing to talk with North Korea, but not negotiate. That is the point here. Also, they say that assistant secretary of state for East Asian affairs James Kelly will be heading to the region. He'll be leaving this weekend. He's going to be meeting with representatives from South Korea Japan, China, as well as other nations, really to push for that diplomatic pressure. Again, the administration hoping that that is what's going to work, defending its policy today, despite these -- despite the defiance of North Korea, this announcement earlier today -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Suzanne Malveaux at the White House, thank you.

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