[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 30 (Thursday, March 17, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 17, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       INSPECTIONS IN NORTH KOREA

  Mr. DOLE. Madam President, the North Koreans had it their way once 
again. Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency, known as 
IAEA, returned from a long-awaited inspection not having been allowed 
to conduct a full inspection of the seven declared sites. We are not 
even talking about the suspected sites which are also covered under the 
Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, and are the subject of great concern--
but the seven declared sites.
  Reportedly IAEA inspectors were not allowed to take samples at a 
North Korean facility suspected of being used to extract plutonium. In 
addition, the North Koreans broke a seal installed last year on the 
entrance to an area where plutonium could be produced. Yesterday, the 
IAEA announced that it was, and I quote, ``Not in a position to verify 
that there had been no diversion of nuclear material at the facility,'' 
and would call an IAEA Board of Governors meeting for Monday, March 21.
  In response, the administration has called off the bilateral meeting 
that was set for March 21. This is the right thing to do, but the 
administration should not stop there. It is high time for the 
administration to reassess its policy. For about a year now, the North 
Koreans have engaged us in a game of cat and mouse, and what have we 
gained?--a partial inspection of some sites. The whole point of the 
IAEA inspection regime is to try to determine compliance with the 
obligations of the Nonproliferation Treaty. Why bother with inspections 
if we cannot determine whether nuclear materials are being diverted?

  Madam President, the North Koreans have demonstrated that they are 
only willing to comply with some of the terms of the Non-Proliferation 
Treaty. And, they want the international community not only to sanction 
their custom compliance, but to reward them for it. let us not fool 
ourselves, over the past year the North Koreans may very well have been 
busy building nuclear weapons as their representatives were meeting 
with U.S. officials to discuss economic and political concessions.
  Today's news reports indicate that the administration is 
reconsidering a decision to cancel Team Spirit exercises with South 
Korea. I hope so. The United States and South Korea should plan to 
conduct these exercises as soon as possible. Moreover, the United 
States should move forward with the deployment of Patriot missiles to 
South Korea--as requested by the United States military commander on 
the scene weeks ago. We should take other measures to strengthen 
deterrence in the Korean Peninsula. And we should think about the 
wisdom of creating confrontation with China at the very time we need 
their assistance on North Korea.
  Madam President, the North Korean response to concessions is not 
compliance, but contempt. A new administration approach is long 
overdue.
  Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. MATHEWS). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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