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