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Disarmament Documentation

'A 10-Point Plan For N. Korea': Proposal by US Representative Curt Weldon, June 30

'A 10-point plan for N. Korea', by Representative Curt Weldon (Republican - Pennsylvania), vice chair of the House Armed Services Committee; The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 30.

There is a window of opportunity on the Korean peninsula. Earlier this month, I was part of a bipartisan delegation of six members of the House of Representatives that visited North Korea. I left convinced of two things: Regime change is not the solution to the current conflict, and peace is within our grasp.

During our trip, the North Koreans confirmed that their nation possesses nuclear weapons, is reprocessing spent fuel and that the fuel is being used for additional weapons. In fact, during one of our dinners the vice minister of foreign affairs, Kim Gue Gwan, looked me in the eye and confidently stated, " We have them...and they are not dirty bombs."

It was apparent to the entire delegation that the North is terrified of a US invasion and that they are convinced that we are intent on such an attack. As a result, they believe their only hope is to continue their nuclear program and build more weapons to deter a US invasion. They repeatedly referenced our invasion of Iraq, statements from Pentagon hawks, and President Bush's " axis of evil" speech as evidence of our intentions.

Despite their boastful rhetoric, our counterparts were eager to discuss our differences and possible solutions. With that eagerness came a window of opportunity. On the second day of our visit, I presented a 10-point plan, drafted in my hotel room the previous evening, to Vice Minister Kim that could end this conflict. The plan includes bilateral agreements between the United States and North Korea within an overarching multilateral framework consistent with the demands of President Bush.

Stage one requires the following five actions simultaneously:

The United States signs a one-year nonaggression pact with North Korea.
North Korea officially renounces its nuclear weapons and research programs, allowing for full and unimpeded inspection of its nuclear facilities by a US designee, resulting in a comprehensive inventory of its nuclear weapons, materials, facilities and locations, including underground sites.
North Korea rejoins the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The United States, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, China, and Russia shall negotiate and ratify a Korean Economic Development and Security Initiative to promote investment, economic growth, trade and humanitarian aid in North Korea. These nations, with the participation of European partners, commit a total of $3 billion to $5 billion per year for the next 10 years, most of the funds coming from South Korea and Japan.
The United States officially recognizes North Korea and opens a mission in Pyongyang.

After the one-year period or the satisfactory completion of the first five actions, stage two shall take effect:

The US nonaggression pact becomes permanent.
North Korea ratifies the Missile Technology Control Regime.
North Korea agrees to observer status with the Helsinki Commission and lays out a time frame for improving human rights.
A multilateral threat-reduction program is implemented to eliminate North Korea's entire nuclear weapons program within two years.
The US Congress establishes a direct inter-parliamentary relationship with members of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly for the express purpose of developing a broad range of comprehensive recommendations to improve the quality of life on the peninsula.

Following a detailed discussion of each point, Vice Minister Kim responded that this plan is exactly what the North is seeking. He stated that with this plan as the starting point, everything was on the table for negotiation.

Clearly, the cornerstone of this plan is the nonaggression pact by the US Such an act requires this administration to continue to recognize that immediate regime change is not our only option.

By signing such an agreement, we can remove North Korea's sole justification for continuing its nuclear weapons program - deterrence. In addition, we would send a message to North Korea and the world that we are not intent on imposing our values and ideals on the rest of the world with our military might.

This plan requires absolute transparency and strict verification of North Korea's efforts to dismantle its nuclear program. Once North Korea demonstrates its commitment, more permanent agreements will be put in place. Furthermore, this plan cannot succeed without the full participation of South Korea, Japan, China and Russia.

We have two choices: isolate North Korea and foolishly hope for its eventual economic collapse, or take advantage of the window before us and engage North Korea in meaningful dialogue. Peace is within our grasp; now we must have the courage to reach for it.

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