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American Morning

Expelled Weapons Inspectors Now in China

Aired December 31, 2002 - 07:33   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 now to the North Korean nuclear threat. Expelled weapons inspectors are now in China, a nation the U.S. would love to have on board in its effort to isolate North Korea economically. What role will North Korea's huge neighbor play in the months ahead?
For that, let's turn to Lisa Rose Weaver, who joins us from Beijing -- Lisa, I guess good evening there. Good morning from here.

LISA ROSE WEAVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.

Good morning, Paula.

The Chinese government had no specific reaction today to the fact that the monitors were expelled from North Korea but China did say that it is making plans to, in the next few days, talk to a special envoy from South Korea who will arrive here presumably very soon, to talk about the escalating situation in the North. And that really goes to China's main position in this, which is that all concerned parties have to talk in order to break this stand-off -- Paula.

ZAHN: Let's talk a little bit more about the role China might play. China, of course, provides fuel and food to North Korea and there are those who say that China absolutely does not want any turmoil because that could force refugees from North Korea into China. So if that is the case, what strategy will China use?

WEAVER: Well, the United States and other countries are certainly hoping that China will use its influence over the North. It is in the best position to do so of all of North Korea's neighbors. China and North Korea share a border. They also share a long ideological history that goes back decades. North Korea is one of the very few -- rather, China is one of the few countries that the secret of North Korean leadership travels to.

And so the hope is that China can play a big role. Diplomatic sources in Beijing tell us that they are very open-minded and cooperative in principal to help open the door to achieve that goal. However, it is not exactly clear what concrete results may have been achieved so far. But, again, diplomatic sources saying those talks are going on. China, as well, emphasizing that it will continue to do so and also calling on North Korea and the United States to also start talking about the situation to avert a crisis -- Paula.

ZAHN: But, Lisa, is it clear exactly what kind of pressure China would bring to bear on North Korea right now that would make any difference at all and diffuse this situation? WEAVER: It's not clear exactly what Beijing would do to diffuse the situation. The leadership here is being quite closed and playing the information close to the chest about what they would do. Unilateral aid, presumably, might be one tool, if you will. China is already a major supplier of humanitarian aid and various material to the North.

People whose views closely reflect that of the government tell us that they feel a bit disappointed that the aid that they have given so far to North Korea hasn't really been recognized in terms of North Korea playing along diplomatically, that North Korea is making decisions and not informing Beijing of those decisions and sort of leaving China out on a limb.

That said, there is no indication that Beijing plans to cut off aid to its neighbor -- Paula.

ZAHN: Lisa Rose Weaver, thanks so much for the update.

Appreciate it.

And happy new year to you, too.

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 December 31, 2002 - 07:33   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Back now to the North Korean nuclear threat. Expelled weapons inspectors are now in China, a nation the U.S. would love to have on board in its effort to isolate North Korea economically. What role will North Korea's huge neighbor play in the months ahead?
For that, let's turn to Lisa Rose Weaver, who joins us from Beijing -- Lisa, I guess good evening there. Good morning from here.

LISA ROSE WEAVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.

Good morning, Paula.

The Chinese government had no specific reaction today to the fact that the monitors were expelled from North Korea but China did say that it is making plans to, in the next few days, talk to a special envoy from South Korea who will arrive here presumably very soon, to talk about the escalating situation in the North. And that really goes to China's main position in this, which is that all concerned parties have to talk in order to break this stand-off -- Paula.

ZAHN: Let's talk a little bit more about the role China might play. China, of course, provides fuel and food to North Korea and there are those who say that China absolutely does not want any turmoil because that could force refugees from North Korea into China. So if that is the case, what strategy will China use?

WEAVER: Well, the United States and other countries are certainly hoping that China will use its influence over the North. It is in the best position to do so of all of North Korea's neighbors. China and North Korea share a border. They also share a long ideological history that goes back decades. North Korea is one of the very few -- rather, China is one of the few countries that the secret of North Korean leadership travels to.

And so the hope is that China can play a big role. Diplomatic sources in Beijing tell us that they are very open-minded and cooperative in principal to help open the door to achieve that goal. However, it is not exactly clear what concrete results may have been achieved so far. But, again, diplomatic sources saying those talks are going on. China, as well, emphasizing that it will continue to do so and also calling on North Korea and the United States to also start talking about the situation to avert a crisis -- Paula.

ZAHN: But, Lisa, is it clear exactly what kind of pressure China would bring to bear on North Korea right now that would make any difference at all and diffuse this situation? WEAVER: It's not clear exactly what Beijing would do to diffuse the situation. The leadership here is being quite closed and playing the information close to the chest about what they would do. Unilateral aid, presumably, might be one tool, if you will. China is already a major supplier of humanitarian aid and various material to the North.

People whose views closely reflect that of the government tell us that they feel a bit disappointed that the aid that they have given so far to North Korea hasn't really been recognized in terms of North Korea playing along diplomatically, that North Korea is making decisions and not informing Beijing of those decisions and sort of leaving China out on a limb.

That said, there is no indication that Beijing plans to cut off aid to its neighbor -- Paula.

ZAHN: Lisa Rose Weaver, thanks so much for the update.

Appreciate it.

And happy new year to you, too.

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