FOR RELEASE WEEK OF October 3, 2005

Contact..Kyle Steward\...662-844-5437

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## REPORT FROM CONGRESS

By Congressman Roger F. Wicker

 

[WICKER KEEPING FOCUS ON N. KOREA, IRAN NUCLEAR PROGRAMS]{.underline}

 

            Recent news that North Korea may agree to abandon its
nuclear weapons program has been met with both skepticism and hope since
the deal was struck two weeks ago.  The official announcement came on
September 19 from China, where six-country talks have been under way to
convince North Korea to halt activities related to nuclear production.  
If implemented, the agreement would have positive implications far
beyond the Korean Peninsula.

The North Koreans are believed to have radioactive material for a
half-dozen bombs, and they have developed long-range missiles capable of
reaching the U.S. mainland.  Convincing the unstable regime of Kim
Jung-Il to give up these weapons would ease tensions in the region and
remove a security threat to our country.

**A HITCH IN THE PLAN?**

            But less than 24 hours after the \"breakthrough\"
announcement, a North Korean diplomat made new demands that underscore
the difficulties in dealing with this unpredictable government.  Bush
Administration officials dismissed the comments and said they will
remain focused on talks in November aimed at starting the implementation
process.

            The view of many political analysts is that the North Korean
statement seeking more concessions was designed to test the unity of the
countries that forged the agreement.  Since then China, Japan, Russia,
South Korea, and the U.S. have not wavered in responding that North
Korea must stick to the original deal.

**\'TRUST, BUT VERIFY\'**

                While the White House and members of Congress welcomed
the agreement, there is healthy skepticism about whether North Korea
will follow through on its end of the bargain.    Past U.S.
administrations have come to terms on this issue only to have the North
Korean government fail to meet its obligations.   Former President
Ronald Reagan used the phrase, \"Trust, but verify,\" in negotiations
with the Soviet Union in the 1980s.  Those words also apply in spades to
this case.  The verification process must be accompanied by the return
of international weapons inspectors to that communist country.  That
point was reaffirmed by Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and
Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill, who served as the chief U.S.
negotiator.  He told me last week, \"Verification will be a key topic to
be discussed at the next round of the talks in November.\"   

            Under the plan the North Koreans would abandon all nuclear
weapons programs and other existing nuclear programs. They would also
abide by international nuclear treaty rules.   In return, the U.S.
affirmed there are no nuclear weapons in South Korea and that we have no
plans to attack.  North Korea would also receive economic and energy
assistance.  

**IRAN SITUATION DANGEROUS**

The potential success of this united diplomatic effort also raises hope
that progress can be made with Iran to head off expansion of that
country\'s nuclear program.  If the often intransigent Kim Jung-Il can
make a deal, perhaps the Iranians could also be convinced to reach an
agreement.

The situation with Iran may be the most troublesome in the world.  Their
newly-elected president has taken a hard line toward the U.S. and
rejected attempts by our European allies to address the nuclear issue. 
 Iran\'s support for the insurgency in Iraq and ties to terrorist
organizations raise the level of concern about its development of
nuclear weapon capabilities.   Despite Iran\'s confrontational position,
we must continue our diplomatic overtures to find mutual ground.

The deal with North Korea is far from done, but this development
represents an opening that could rid this dangerous regime of its
nuclear weaponry.   It could provide momentum to focus even greater
attention on the problem we face with Iran as well.