FOR RELEASE WEEK OF December 25, 2006

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

                                                   [REPORT FROM
CONGRESS]{.underline}

                                                 By Congressman Roger F.
Wicker

[WICKER NOTES HIGH STAKES INVOLVED IN NORTH KOREA TALKS]{.underline}

            After more than a year, six-party talks have resumed in
efforts to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program.
 While this issue has raised concerns among its neighbors, the prospect
of North Korea manufacturing nuclear warheads to use or share with
terrorists represents a danger to the entire world.

            The Clinton Administration appeared to have reached
agreement in 1994 with North Korea to end its nuclear program, but the
deal quickly fell apart.  That experience gave way to talks that
included the U.S., Russia, China, Japan, North Korea, and South Korea,
which have been off and on for more than three years.   In September
2005, the North Koreans agreed to give up their nuclear program in
exchange for energy and food assistance, but they soon made other
demands that undermined the deal.  They walked away from the
negotiations once again. 

**RAISING THE STAKES**

            The stakes got much higher two months ago after North Korea
detonated a nuclear weapon and declared it had joined the "nuclear
club."  The world community universally condemned the nuclear test, and
the United Nations approved tough sanctions, isolating North Korea
further.  That provocative act also upset the Chinese government, which
has been an ally of North Korea's ruthless dictator Kim Jung Il. 
Pressure from the Chinese and the sting of sanctions may have convinced
the North Koreans to return to the negotiating table.

            While most observers do not expect a quick breakthrough, it
is encouraging that the rest of the world has acted in unison and helped
produce another round of talks.  There is far-reaching concern because
the unpredictable regime of Kim Jung Il has a track record of arms
dealing.  It has sold missile technology to the highest bidder in recent
years, and its customers have included state sponsors of terrorism such
as Iran and Syria.

**NUKES POSE CATASTROPHIC THREAT**

Leaders in world capitals far and wide understand that adding nuclear
weapons to the arms equation would pose a threat that would reach far
beyond the Korean Peninsula.  It would be catastrophic if North Korea
were allowed to produce nuclear weapons and make them available to
terrorist groups intent on doing harm to the U.S. or its allies.

Apart from the weapons trafficking concerns, North Korea has also been
developing long-range missile capability that could threaten the U. S.
mainland.   Much of what the North Koreans say is political theater, but
they have brazenly threatened a nuclear missile attack on the U. S. if
sanctions are not lifted.   Congress has wisely provided additional
funding to speed deployment of a missile defense system for our
country.  I was also encouraged to hear incoming Defense Secretary
Robert Gates say he would continue to push for such a system to counter
a possible threat from North Korea and others.

**AMBASSADOR HILL STANDS FIRM**

I have met with Assistant Secretary of State Chris Hill, who is heading
the U. S. negotiating team.  He is one of our most capable diplomats and
has been firm in dealing with the North Koreans.   "We have made it
clear to the North Koreans that we do not accept them as a nuclear
power," he said.  Ambassador Hill has been resolute in saying that tough
sanctions will stay in place "until we achieve denuclearization of the
Korean Peninsula."