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Disarmament DocumentationBack to Disarmament Documentation '[W]e're not after regime change in North Korea', US Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage, December 23'Armitage Urges North Korea to Follow Example of Libya on WMD', Deputy Secretary interviewed December 23 by Nikkei Press, December 23, 2003. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE INTERVIEW
DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Well, obviously, I would hope so, but I think each of these countries who desires to possess weapons of mass destruction is sui generis, so you'd have to have a slightly different approach for every country. MR. MORIYASU: Yeah. DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: But I think the heart of the Bush Doctrine, as you called it, is what I would say is a muscular multilateralism. And the case of Libya, working with our British friends primarily, but surrounded by international sanctions -- MR. MORIYASU: Yeah. DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: -- allowed us to accomplish this. In North Korea we've got the six-party talks as we move forward. That is multilateralism, which is backed by a very severe and serious U.S. military posture. So each one is a little different, but there are some similarities. MR. MORIYASU: Yeah. Do you think that North Korea would benefit more if they took Libya's path rather than their current path? DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: I think if they chose to voluntarily come ahead that North Korea would very rapidly find herself integrated into the vibrant community of East Asia. I don't think she is going to do that, but it would be wonderful. MR. MORIYASU: Yeah. The six-party talks were planned for this month. I hear that five of the countries were ready for the meeting, but North Korea said no. Could you tell me why North Korea said no? DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: We never had a date certain for this month, and you'll have to ask the North Koreans why they chose to not be able to make up their mind. We hope for an early resumption of the talks some time in January. MR. MORIYASU: Some time in January? DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: That's what we hope for. MR. MORIYASU: You hope for. Does that -- is that likely? DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Oh, I think there's a good chance of it. It's not yet, but -- MR. MORIYASU: I see. The North Koreans seem to be looking for three things. One is security assurance; one, energy assurance; and one, financial aid. Is the U.S. prepared to address these needs? DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Well, there's no reason for the United States to step up with financial aid. We have, for years, been providing humanitarian assistance for North Korea. You know, President Bush has long said he'll not use food as a weapon; so you can expect the United States to continue to provide some level of humanitarian assistance. Energy needs, long-term energy needs, are something we could discuss. In fact, we're well under discussion with the so-called KEDO project. But all those things have come to a halt. On the security guarantee, our President has said he's ready to issue, in some form, a security guarantee. MR. MORIYASU: Guarantee. But in this, you don't necessarily want the words "security assurance," your having security assurance -- DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Well, I mean, it -- security assurance, security guarantee -- we don't -- the word is not important to us, and we understand the concept, and the President has already spoken to it. MR. MORIYASU: Yeah. Okay. And Qadhafi's son told a TV interviewer that the reason why Libya decided to dismantle; its WMD was because the U.S. told them one year ago that they had no intention for regime change in Libya, and they believe that. Is that a possibility in North Korea? DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Well, we've said we're not after regime change in North Korea. So we've already said that. And we've also said that in the case of Iran. MR. MORIYASU: Yes, yes. DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: We've said it publicly. I said it most recently in a testimony in front of Congress. MR. MORIYASU: Yes, you did. Yeah. I see... Source: US State Department, Washington File, http://usinfo.state.gov. © 2003 The Acronym Institute. |