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
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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.
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RICE
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