GUIDANCE FOR USG PERSONNEL IN THE DPRK

UNCLAS STATE 007837

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KNNP MNUC AMGT KN
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE FOR USG PERSONNEL IN THE DPRK


1. (U) This cable provides guidance for all U.S. personnel
traveling to and/or assuming temporary duty (TDY) in the DPRK
for the purpose of implementing denuclearization measures
pursuant to Six-Party and other related agreements ("USG
personnel"). The Department appreciates the excellent, vital
work being performed under uniquely challenging circumstances
by USG personnel on the ground in the DPRK and provides this
guidance in order to provide clarification of roles and
missions. This guidance applies to all personnel contracted
and/or dispatched by the USG to the DPRK in connection with
the implementation of denuclearization measures in the DPRK,
including the Yongbyon Project Manager and all U.S. experts
engaged in disablement activities at the Yongbyon nuclear
complex. Guidance for members of U.S. delegations traveling
to the DPRK for other Six-Party business is provided
separately.

Background
--------------


2. (U) In the October 3, 2007 agreement on "Second-Phase
Actions for the Implementation of the Joint Statement"
(Second-Phase agreement),the DPRK reaffirmed its commitment
to disabling all existing nuclear facilities subject to
abandonment under the September 2005 Joint Statement and the
February 13, 2007 agreement on "Initial Actions for the
Implementation of the Joint Statement," and agreed to the
disablement of the three core nuclear facilities at the
Yongbyon nuclear complex (the 5-MW(e) reactor, the fuel
fabrication plant, and the reprocessing plant) by December
31, 2007. The Second-Phase agreement provides that, at the
request of the other parties, the United States will lead
disablement activities and provide the initial funding for
those activities.


3. (U) USG personnel from various agencies have been on the
ground in the DPRK since November 4, providing oversight,
technical expertise, and administrative support for
disablement activities at the Yongbyon nuclear complex. USG
personnel comprise a rotating team of technical experts in
Yongbyon and one Program Manager in Pyongyang. USG personnel
are expected to maintain a constant presence in the DPRK
until the completion of all disablement activities. To date,
funding for disablement activities at Yongbyon has been
provided by the State Department's Nonproliferation and
Disarmament Fund (ISN/NDF).


4. (U) The United States does not/not have diplomatic
relations with the DPRK. The Embassy of Sweden acts as the
United States' Consular Protective Power in the DPRK.

Guidance for ISN/NDF Project Manager
--------------


5. (U) MISSION: The mission of the ISN/NDF Project Manager
is to manage all administrative and logistical activities
related to U.S.-led disablement activities in the DPRK. The
Project Manager reports to the ISN/NDF Director in
Washington. ISN, in coordination with EAP, provides
instructions and guidance for the Project Manager. POCs are
Steve Saboe (ISN/NDF, 202-647-0094, saboe@ndf.org) and

Colleen Kelly (EAP/K, 202-647-0333, kellycp@state.gov).


6. (U) ENGAGEMENT WITH HOST GOVERNMENT AND NATIONALS: The
Project Manager's engagement with host government officials
and nationals must be strictly limited to administrative and
logistical matters directly related to U.S.-led disablement
activities in the DPRK. The Project Manager must make clear
that he is not a U.S. diplomatic representative or liaison to
the DPRK Government. The Project Manager may not participate
in representational activities hosted by the host government
without prior authorization from the Department (EAP).
Questions related to U.S. policy on North Korea or Six-Party
negotiations should be referred to EAP.


7. (U) ENGAGEMENT WITH THIRD-COUNTRY NATIONALS: The Project
Manager must make clear that he is not a U.S. diplomatic
representative or liaison to the DPRK Government. The
Project Manager may not participate in events and activities
for the diplomatic corps hosted by the host government
without prior authorization from the Department (EAP). The
Project Manager may participate in unofficial events and
activities involving the local diplomatic and/or foreign
community, but should limit engagement to interactions and
discussions of a social nature only. The Project Manager may
engage with and seek the cooperation of the Swedish Embassy
to execute administrative and logistical matters related to
U.S.-led disablement activities in the DPRK.


8. (U) ENGAGEMENT WITH NON-USG AMCITS AND OTHERS: The
Project Manager must limit engagement with resident or
visiting non-USG Amcits and all others to interactions and
discussions of a social nature only.


9. (U) PUBLIC AFFAIRS: The Project Manager must decline,
avoid, and discourage all requests for press interviews,
whether local or foreign, including background or
off-the-record interviews or briefings. Press requests for
interview or information should be referred to the Department.

Guidance for Technical Experts
--------------


10. (U) MISSION: The mission of U.S. technical experts
("Experts") in Yongbyon is to provide on-the-ground oversight
and technical expertise for the purpose of implementing all
agreed disablement activities. Experts report to the
designated Expert Team Leader in Yongbyon, who in turn
reports to EAP and coordinates with the ISN/NDF Project
Manager in Pyongyang. EAP, in coordination with DOE, ISN,
and other relevant agencies, provides instructions and
guidance for the Experts. POCs in Washington are Yuri Kim
(EAP/K, tel: 202-647-5727, kimyj@state.gov) and William
O'Connor (DOE/NNSA, tel: 202-586-4867,
william.o'connor@nnsa.doe.gov).


11. (U) ENGAGEMENT WITH HOST GOVERNMENT AND NATIONALS:
Experts' engagement with host government officials and
nationals is strictly limited to matters directly related to
the oversight and implementation of disablement activities in
the DPRK. Experts may not participate in representational
activities hosted by the host government without prior
authorization from the Department (EAP). Questions related
to U.S. policy on North Korea or Six-Party negotiations
should be referred to EAP.


12. (U) ENGAGEMENT WITH THIRD-COUNTRY NATIONALS: Experts may
not participate in events and activities for the diplomatic
corps hosted by the host government without prior
authorization from the Department (EAP). Experts may
participate in unofficial events and activities involving the
local diplomatic and/or foreign community, but should limit
engagement to interactions and discussions of a social nature
only.


13. (U) ENGAGEMENT WITH NON-USG AMCITS AND OTHERS: Experts
must limit engagement with resident or visiting non-USG
Amcits and all others to social interactions and discussions
only.


14. (U) PUBLIC AFFAIRS: Experts must decline, avoid, and
discourage all requests for press interviews, whether local
or foreign, including background or off-the-record interviews
or briefings. Press requests for interviews or information
should be referred to the Department.
RICE