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.

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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

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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