TURKEY/DPRK: MFA BRIEFING ON DPRK VISIT TO ANKARA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 002664 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/K E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2021 TAGS: PREL PGOV KN KS TU SUBJECT: TURKEY/DPRK: MFA BRIEFING ON DPRK VISIT TO ANKARA AS PART OF A EUROPEAN TOUR Classified By: Political Counselor Janice G. Weiner for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Turkish MFA Deputy Director General for Africa and East Asia Erdem Mutaf briefed several diplomatic corps representatives May 10 on MFA meetings with Democratic People's Republic of North Korea (DPRK) Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials on May 4. The DPRK had requested the visit as part of a multi-country European trip that included Brussels for EU meetings. The Turkish MFA did not publicly announce the visit nor did it receive any press coverage. Mutaf said DPRK MFA Director of the European Department Kim Chun Guk was accompanied by an MFA chief of section and the DPRK Ambassador to Bulgaria. They held two official meetings, with Turkish MFA Deputy Undersecretary Ahmet Uzumcu and Director General of Bilateral Affairs Ambassador Suha Umar, and toured Ankara. ¶2. (C) Mutaf provided us with the non-paper at paragraph 4. According to Mutaf, GOT officials expressed concern about the nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, noted that words alone cannot change the world's perception of the DPRK and encouraged the DPRK to continue six-party talks and work with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Mutaf noted the DPRK stated it wants to develop relations with European countries and peacefully co-exist with the United States. It is willing to give up its nuclear ambitions but only when it is in no danger of aggression from the outside. Under current circumstances, DPRK says it cannot return to six party talks. ¶3. (C) Embassy representatives from Austria, China, Republic of Korea and Russia also attended the May 10 briefing; the Japanese Ambassador received the points earlier in a regularly scheduled bilateral meeting. Responding to a questions from the ROK counselor, Mutaf said the GOT has no plans for any official to visit the DPRK and no formal invitation was issued. No discussion was held about any possibility of opening diplomatic missions in each others' capitals. ¶4. (U) The following is the text of the non-paper speaking notes provided by MFA DDG Mutaf. Begin text: SPEAKING NOTES ON THE VISIT OF THE DPRK DELEGATION TO TURKEY Mr. Kim Chun Guk, Director of the European Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People,s Republic of Korea (DPRK),visited Turkey with his delegation on the occasion of his visit of certain European countries. Below are highlights from the discussions that took place between the North Korea and the Turkish sides on 4 May 2006 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara. The Turkish side was chaired by Ambassador Sh Umar, Director General for Bilateral Affairs. North Korean Side: - We would like to develop our relations with European countries including Turkey on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs. - Cold War is now long over, but an atmosphere of Cold War is still going on in the Korean Peninsula. Korean Peninsula is still divided and there is confrontation between DPRK and the United States, with no formal peace treaty in force since the end of the Korean War. - We do not wish to continue in this situation (hostilities) with the US in the future. Our people suffer from it. We would like to have a relationship of peaceful coexistence with the US. - We have good relations with our neighbours, Russian Federation (RF) and People,s Republic of China (PRC). However, there,s no improvement in our relations with the United States. - The previous administration in Washington had initiated a bilateral dialogue which had a very positive impact on us. ANKARA 00002664 002 OF 003 However, the current administration declared us as part of a so-called "Axis of Evil", announcing its intention to resort to "preemptive strike" against DPRK and even to use nuclear weapons. This is why DPRK should possess nuclear weapons of its own. - On the other hand, we are willing to give up our nuclear weapons; become a party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and accept inspections of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) if there remains no danger of aggression towards the DPRK. - Our intention is surely not to compete with the existing nuclear powers in the world. We cannot even think of using nuclear weapons offensively, as we know that each nuclear weapon we use will be reciprocated by thousands in return. - On September 19, 2005, we have reached an agreement at the end of the 4th round of the Six Party Talks in which DPRK accepted to abandon its nuclear weapons in return for the US to respect our sovereignty and end its "hostile approach" towards the DPRK. This deal was supported by the international community. - However, despite the agreement, the US increased pressure on DPRK and imposed financial sanctions on us, even blaming us for counterfeiting the US Dollar. - We cannot return to the Six-Party Talks under these circumstances. Turkish views were expressed as follows: - In today,s world, instability in one region affects the stability in others. In that sense, we attach importance to the peace and stability in Northeast Asia. - The most important issue affecting the stability of that region is the nuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. Unless this issue is solved in a manner acceptable to all parties, peace and stability in this region will not be possible and longstanding. - We welcome and appreciate the breakthrough reached at the end of the 4th round of the Six-Party Talks. However, we are disappointed to see that the Fifth Round of these talks has resulted in a deadlock. - After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the international community is increasingly sensitive to terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). - All countries naturally pursue policies in conformity with their own national interests and their national security needs. However, international legitimacy is crucial and each country should ensure that their actions be perceived as such. - Possession of WMDs is almost certain to cause concern for the international community. Presence of WMDs will no doubt make any situation more dangerous and more serious for all. Developments regarding Iran,s nuclear program is a good proof for these dynamics. - The chance is slim for the international community as a whole to change its perception of DPRK despite your declared intention of not using nuclear weapons. It is most certainly futile for the DPRK to try changing this perception by words alone. - Therefore, the only reasonable possibility for the DPRK to restore its image in the world is to move towards the abandonment of its nuclear military capacity in a manner acceptable to all sides concerned and that allows for verification. If the DPRK is concerned about threats towards itself, it can reassure the world with its peaceful policies by demonstrating its willingness to conform with international law and by not reinforcing the existing perceptions about DPRK. - In the sense, we believe the core of the discussions on the matter should not be on who will take the first step at this stage. If the DPRK realizes that it has more to gain by ANKARA 00002664 003 OF 003 moving first, it should take the first step to end the current deadlock. - In that case, the process could be initiated with a declaration by the DPRK that it is ready to adhere to the NPT and accept IAEA inspections, simultaneously followed by concrete and verifiable steps toward the abandonment of its nuclear weapons. - This stance will no doubt contribute to the positive perception of the DPRK by the international community and make it possible for those who would like to give support to the DPRK to do so. - We would also like to remind that peaceful use of nuclear energy is a right for all and that it should be exercise within the framework of IAEA safeguards. End Text. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON