DPRK MISSILE TALKING POINTS

S E C R E T STATE 098659 E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2026 TAGS: KN KNNP KS MNUC PREL SUBJECT: DPRK MISSILE TALKING POINTS Classified By: EAP ACTING A/S KATHLEEN STEPHENS, FOR 1.4 B/D ¶1. (S) This is an action request. The following points were delivered by U/S Robert Joseph in Moscow June 14 to G-8 Political Directors. Posts in non-G-8 capitals are requested to deliver points below on a possible North Korean long-range missile launch to the highest appropriate level host country SECRET 2 of 3 SECRET 2 of 3 officials, as soon as possible. Posts in G-8 capitals may deliver the points to host country officials as they see fit. ¶2. (S/REL UK CAN AUS CHN FRA ITA JPN ROK RUS) Begin talking points on possible North Korean long-range missile launch: -- In the last few weeks, we have discussed ) and some of you have raised with North Korea ) our concerns that it is preparing to launch a Taepo-Dong-2 missile. -- Very recent information indicates a North Korean launch of a TD-2 could be imminent. While any decision to launch would, of course, be up to Pyongyang and therefore inherently unpredictable, we are concerned that, barring technical problems, a launch could occur as early as the end of this week. -- Such a launch would raise serious regional and ) given the TD-2's expected range, global -- security concerns, and would poison the atmosphere for the Six-Party Talks. -- The September 19 Joint Statement commits all Six Parties to joint efforts for lasting peace and security in Northeast Asia. A long-range launch would be inconsistent with the Joint Statement and violate Pyongyang's 1999 moratorium on long-range missile launches, reaffirmed by Chairman Kim Jong-il in 2002 and 2004. -- North Korea's proceeding with a missile/space vehicle launch would further call into question Pyongyang's willingness to achieve a diplomatic solution to eliminating its nuclear programs. -- Could you tell us what plans your government might have in reaction to these developments? If Asked: What are USG views about any possible North Korean demand for compensation in exchange for not launching: -- We should avoid any hint that North Korea could or should be rewarded for not taking destabilizing action. That would only encourage it to threaten such actions in the future. It could also reinforce any DPRK perception that it could reap benefits and not adverse consequences from future destabilizing actions or threats. If Asked: What would the USG view be if the DPRK portrays the launch as a space launch vehicle? -- We view the DPRK missile program in the context in which it has developed ) as a military program. SECRET 3 of 3 SECRET 3 of 3 RICE NNNN