# 99022. Cohen Raps North Korea, Lauds Asia Security Ties

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By Douglas J. Gillert
American Forces Press Service

TOKYO -- Defense Secretary William S. Cohen reacted sharply to 
North Korea's demand for payment in order to open a suspected 
nuclear site.

"The North Koreans have said they want $300 million for just the 
right to look," Cohen said during a Jan. 12 speech to hundreds 
of service men and women at nearby Yokota Air Base. "That is a 
pretty expensive peek. What we are saying is we are not in the 
business of giving you permission. What we need to have is some 
verification."

North Korea's demand for payment follows U.S., Japanese and 
South Korean demands to inspect an underground construction site 
that could house nuclear facilities. If so, the site would 
violate an earlier agreement to discontinue production of 
weapons-grade plutonium in exchange for oil and other 
assistance. If such a plant is under construction, Cohen said, 
it could threaten the agreement and heighten tensions on the 
Korean Peninsula.

The secretary was here to meet U.S. troops and Japanese 
political and military leaders. The visit coincided with a 
national debate on how much support Japan should give to the 
roughly 45,000 U.S. service members based here and what, if any, 
expansion is proper for Japanese Self-Defense Force 
participation in U.N. and regional peacekeeping operations. The 
two nations' leaders also planned to discuss ways to deal with 
the increasing threat posed by North Korea's missile program.

Cohen lauded the U.S. service members at Yokota and, later in 
the day, Misawa Air Base, for their sacrifices and service to 
their country. His promise of better pay and retirement benefits 
drew loud applause at both locations.

"Thank you for being here. Thank you for being here on duty all 
the time," Cohen said at Yokota. "If we don't have you, we can't 
maintain the power that we are," he said, urging members not to 
abandon military service for more lucrative and stable civilian 
jobs. But in return for staying, "We do owe you a quality of 
life," he added.

The secretary said President Clinton's promise to increase the 
defense budget over the next couple of years would mean higher 
pay raises and a return to a pre-1986 retirement system that 
provides 50-percent of base pay after 20 years' service. He also 
outlined his plan for targeting specific groups -- senior 
noncommissioned officers and middle-grade officers -- for higher 
pay raises based on performance. 

He said U.S. service members based in the Asia-Pacific region 
are particularly worthy of better benefits, because "2 billion 
people, from San Diego to Seoul, depend on you."

Perhaps most surprised by Cohen's visit was Air Force Staff Sgt. 
Melia Bethea, who stood quietly on guard before the dais until 
the secretary stepped down to present her with technical 
sergeant stripes. "I can't breathe," she said, in shock, but 
smiling broadly.

Cohen also gave service members time to ask questions of him and 
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Tom Foley, who accompanied him to both 
bases.

Cohen planned to address the importance of the U.S.-Japan mutual 
security pact and host-nation agreement during Jan. 13 and 14 
talks with Japanese leaders. He said he's particularly concerned 
with Japan's willingness to maintain its host-nation agreement, 
one of the strongest DoD has with foreign nations where U.S. 
troops serve.

Air Force Lt. Gen. John Hall, commander of U.S. Forces, Japan, 
said that a former problem of adequate housing has mostly been 
fixed by an intense Japanese building program on American 
installations. Waiting lists have dropped to an average of two 
months from more than a year, he said. 

Traveling with the secretary to Misawa, Hall said he's confident 
a solution can be worked out to a hot issue of relocating the 
Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station on Okinawa. "We want to get 
out of Futenma, maybe decrease our footprint on Okinawa, but we 
haven't given up on anything," Hall said. "We're open to any 
ideas, old and new.

"Our hope is that the new administration [on Okinawa] will take 
a fresh look," Hall continued. The new island governor appears 
committed to resolving the dilemma; the previous administration 
wanted all U.S. forces off the island. Subsequent U.S.-Japan 
agreements call for a reduced U.S. military footprint on the 
island and less intrusive flying operations.

Also of concern to Hall and Cohen are the health hazards posed 
by an incinerator adjacent to Atsugi Naval Air Station. Hall 
said winds frequently carry noxious smoke from the plant 
directly into high-rise family housing on the base. Cohen said 
he planned to discuss the problem with Japanese leaders.

Hall said the current host-nation agreement is in force until 
2001. He said he's confident the agreement will be renewed and 
remain strong and favorable to DoD.

Cohen is to meet Japanese defense, political and diplomatic 
leaders Jan. 13 and 14 before departing Tokyo for Seoul. In 
Korea, he plans to visit troops and meet with his Korean 
counterparts and return to Washington Jan. 16.

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 Defense Secretary William S. Cohen talks to U.S. service members, family members and civilian employees gathered in a hangar at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The secretary lauded the mixed-service group Jan. 12 for its service in the Far East. He told those gathered his top objective is to provide them with better pay and benefits in the future. Douglas J. Gillert
 A surprised and happy Air Force Staff Sgt. Melia Bethea receives an on-the-spot promotion to technical sergeant from Defense Secretary William S. Cohen. The secretary did the honors Jan. 12 during his visit to Yokota Air Base, Japan. A native of Palestine, Texas, Bethea is assigned to the 374th Wing security forces at Yokota. Douglas J. Gillert