ACCESSION NUMBER:292750

FILE ID:POL506

DATE:07/02/93

TITLE:CLINTON TO STRESS U.S.-ASIAN POLITICAL, SECURITY TIES (07/02/93)

TEXT:*93070206.POL

CLINTON TO STRESS U.S.-ASIAN POLITICAL, SECURITY TIES



(Christopher briefs on G-7, Asian trip)  (510)

By Alexander M. Sullivan

USIA White House Correspondent

Washington -- President Clinton intends to use his trip to Japan and

1outh Korea to stress the high priority he places on U.S. political and

security relationships in Asia, Secretary of State Christopher declared

July 2.



"This dynamic region provides more trade with the United States than any

other region of the world," he said, explaining the significance Clinton

attaches to the economic dimension of the relationships.



He said Clinton will deliver three "significant" speeches on his agenda for

the region, in San Francisco, July 5; in Tokyo, July 7; and in Seoul, July

10.  Each, Christopher said, "will touch different aspects of the Asian

relationship."



Additionally, the president will hold bilateral sessions in Tokyo with

Indonesian President Suharto, Japanese Prime Minister Miyazawa, and Russian

President Yeltsin.  Russia, Christopher reminded reporters, is an Asian as

well as a European power.  Clinton will meet in Seoul with South Korean

President Kim Young Sam.



According to news reports, Clinton's speech to the South Korean National

Assembly will dwell on Asian security.  The president plans to travel to

the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea to visit American

troops stationed there.  Washington is seeking to persuade North Korea to

submit to inspection of its nuclear facilities by the International Atomic

Energy Agency.



Christopher, addressing questioners at a White House briefing, declined to

set a cutoff for the U.S. talks with Pyongyang, despite Kim's expressed

fear that North Korea may be drawing them out long enough to produce

nuclear weapons.



Christopher called the initial talks in Geneva useful, noting they induced

Pyongyang to "withdraw their withdrawal" from the Nuclear Nonproliferation

Treaty.  "We don't intend to let them stall the matter," Christopher said.

"If the Geneva talks reach a stalemate, we'll recognize that.  For the time

being, the talks are useful.  We will not let them go on endlessly, I

assure you."



Christopher declined to set "a particular deadline" for reaching agreement,

although he acknowledged "achieving inspection is very important to us....I

would say discussions will continue only as long as they appear productive.

 As long as we're making progress, I think we'll continue, but not longer

than that."



Asked what Washington would do if North Korea produced nuclear weapons,

Christopher said he didn't wish to discuss intelligence reports about the

North Korean nuclear facilities but added, "the United States is watching

that closely and we will protect our vital interests."



Christopher looks to the Economic Summit for "increased cooperation and

partnership with Russia.  There should be a very strong indication of

multilateral support" for Moscow in the restructuring and privatization

programs.



He said he expects a full discussion of the situation in Bosnia but cited

the "very volatile" situation there in suggesting the G-7 leaders would not

commit to a statement, "at least until you know where matters are" next

week.



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