[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 134 (Thursday, September 22, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]


                              {time}  1710
 
                                 KOREA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bishop). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from California [Mr. Royce] is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the 
creeping crisis on the Korean Peninsula.
  I think the overwhelming majority of my colleagues agree that there 
has been an inordinate amount of attention and effort expended on 
Haiti. In contrast, what happens on the peninsula deeply affects our 
national security. Over 50,000 Americans, and 1 million Koreans, gave 
their lives there for freedom and a fragile peace. We have a treaty 
there. We have 37,000 troops there. The American people and the United 
States Congress have a solemn commitment to uphold freedom for South 
Korea.
  There are nuclear, chemical and conventional arms there in awesome 
concentration; Our troops and their families, and millions of Koreans, 
are in constant danger.
  The Korean regime is an unstable and unpredictable enemy. It is a 
terrorist state, and it is a nuclear state, and it has a million-strong 
army. The continued strengthening of the North Korean arsenal, and its 
proliferation to rogue states such as Iran, mock our efforts at arms 
control and regional security.
  This is the stuff of vital national interests. This is what American 
military, diplomatic and economic power must be reserved for.
  That is the point of concern. The kind of haphazardous brinkmanship 
and dangerous errors of judgment that have characterized this 
administration's handling of Haiti, and of foreign policy in general, 
must not be repeated in Korea. This President cannot continue to rely 
on serendipity and on the kindly intervention of his elders. This 
Nation deserves and demands more.
  The administration's approach thus far has been one of vacillation, 
preemptive concession, and ambiguity of purpose--the same approach that 
has been on display in Haiti, Somalia, Bosnia, and China.
  The North Korean bombs remain, the plants and sites remain. Pyongyang 
refuses full site inspection; in short, they have the capacity, and 
apparently, the active intention to continue their nuclear buildup.
  We have offered to facilitate the provision of less dangerous 
alternative nuclear technology, and to supplement their power grid, to 
the tune of $4 billion, But they insist on choosing the design and 
suppliers of these plants. Assistant Secretary Gallucci says this is 
ludicrous. I agree. But that's not all: They also are demanding bribes 
of additional billions to compensate them for lost research and 
presumably lost anticipated weapons sales to Iran and other partners. 
What do they take us for? Or better yet: Why?
  In time-proven fashion North Korea is running the clock on an all-too 
hopeful State Department. The problem is that time does not neccesarily 
favor us. In fact, as time goes on North Korea's secret arsenal grows. 
Our leverage diminishes, our resolve is tarnished, and dictators the 
world over are encouraged.
  I urge my colleagues to pay attention to the dealings in Geneva in 
the coming days and to keep a sharp eye on the bottom line: Are our 
troops safer, is the physical and nuclear threat diminished, is the 
nuclear inventory and its trigger removed from North Korean control?
  If the answer to these questions remains no. Then you will know that 
it's business as usual at the Clinton White House, and we're heading 
for trouble again.

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