Date: Sun Sep 19 21:34:49 1999 From: Vin_Suprynowicz@lvrj.com (Vin Suprynowicz) Subject: Re: Sept. 23 column -- peace-loving Korea To: bill@sholar.com
>I think there's a typo -- you cited 500 million tons of grain >going to North Korea. WSJ in March reported 500 THOUDAND tons, >which makes a little more sense. 500 million would be 20 tons >for every man, woman, and child! > >GREAT columns! > >Thanks. >
Hi, Bill -
My source for that stat was a Friday wire story carrying the byline of Associated Press White house correspondent Terence Hunt. I attach below that story, as far down as his reference to the gran exports.
I have not called to double-check the figure -- the AP is generally considered reliable in the newspaper trade, and we would be virtually paralyzed if we endeavored to check every fact in all the AP stories that pour through.
I agree the figure seems high. I haven't yet seen AP run a correction -- but if you can come up with documentation for a different figure, please let me know.
Best Wishes,
-- V.S.
, Clinton eases economic sanctions against North Korea| Eds: LEADS with 6 grafs with Republican criticism, Albright defense; picks up 2nd graf pvs, The move| |By TERENCE HUNT| |AP White House Correspondent| WASHINGTON (AP) - President Clinton eased strict trade, banking and travel restrictions against North Korea today in the most significant gesture toward the communist government since the end of the Korean War in 1953. North Korea has pledged to forgo testing of long-range missiles. Clinton's decision brought immediate criticism from a top Republican in Congress. ''We are once again entering (the) cycle of extortion with North Korea,'' said Rep. Benjamin Gilman, R-N.Y., chairman of the House International Relations Committee. He said he was opposed to lifting any sanctions against North Korea now. ''North Korea is one of the most significant threats to American national security in the world today,'' the congressman said in a written statement. ''Ultimately, we have no assurances that North Korea has halted missile development or its program for weapons of mass destruction.'' Secretary of State Madeleine Albright told reporters the agreement with North Korea starts the two countries ''down a new and more hopeful road. ''It is a road that holds out the possibility of long-term stability and even eventual reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula. ''It's a road America and its allies want to walk down with the North, but it is not a one-way street. If circumstances warrant that we go back to square one, we can do so without damage to our interests. If circumstances require that we go down a different road altogether, we will do so to defend our interests.'' The move will allow ''most consumer goods to be available for export to North Korea and will allow the importation of most North Korean-origin goods into the United States,'' White House press secretary Joe Lockhart said. Moreover, it will permit the transfer of commercial and personal funds between the two countries an allow commercial air and sea transportation for passengers and cargo. ''The United States is taking this action in order to pursue improved overall relations with North Korea,'' Lockhart said. North Korea will remain on the State Department's list of countries that support terrorism. As a result, there will be no easing of a ban on the sale of U.S. weapons and missile-related technology as well as on U.S. foreign and economic aid, except humanitarian assistance. North Korea, which has suffered widespread hunger and economic reversals in recent years, currently receives 500 million metric tons of wheat, rice, corn and other grains from the United States through the U.N. World Food Program.
Vin Suprynowicz, vin@lvrj.com
"The evils of tyranny are rarely seen but by him who resists it." -- John Hay, 1872
"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed -- and thus clamorous to be led to safety -- by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary." -- H.L. Mencken
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