*EPF111 03/10/2003
Text: Rep. Hastings Submits Measure Condemning N. Korea's Nuclear Bid
(Also deplores Pyongyang's interception of U.S. plane) (640)

Representative Alcee Hastings, (Democrat of Florida), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security, introduced a measure March 6 condemning North Korea's nuclear activities and its recent interception of a U.S. reconnaissance plane.

House Concurrent Resolution 81 (H.Con.Res. 81) calls on North Korea to "honor its commitments and obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons."

The proposed measure explains that North Korea has defied a number of international treaties to which they are a party, including the Agreed Framework of 1994 under which the Pyongyang government agreed to halt its nuclear program in return for heavy fuel oil and light water reactors.

The proposed resolution calls on the North Korean regime to return to an "interim level of compliance" with the Agreed Framework.

H.Con.Res. 81 also criticizes the March 3 North Korean interception of an unarmed U.S. reconnaissance plane. The proposed resolution says this incident "further exacerbates the crisis between North Korea and the United States."

H.Con.Res. 81 was referred to the House Committee on International Relations for consideration. A markup date has not been set.

Following is the text of House Concurrent Resolution 81 from the Congressional Record:

(begin text)

108th CONGRESS
1st Session

H. CON. RES. 81

Condemning the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for its announcement that it has restarted a nuclear reactor at Yongbyon and for the provocation caused by the interception of a United States Air Force reconnaissance plane by North Korean military aircraft.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 6, 2003

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Condemning the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for its announcement that it has restarted a nuclear reactor at Yongbyon and for the provocation caused by the interception of a United States Air Force reconnaissance plane by North Korean military aircraft.

Whereas the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (commonly referred to as the `Non-Proliferation Treaty' or `NPT') is the most widely accepted international arms control agreement;

Whereas signatories of the NPT are committed to preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, promoting cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament;

Whereas on December 12, 1985, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) signed the NPT;

Whereas in the Agreed Framework between the United States of America and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, signed in Geneva on October 21, 1994, North Korea pledged to freeze its existing nuclear program;

Whereas restarting the nuclear reactor at the Yongbyon facility constitutes a material breach of the NPT and the Agreed Framework;

Whereas on March 3, 2003, four North Korean military aircraft intercepted an unarmed United States Air Force reconnaissance plane in international air space; and

Whereas this incident further exacerbates the crisis between North Korea and the United States: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress-

(1) calls on North Korea to honor its commitments and obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons;

(2) calls on North Korea to honor its commitments and obligations under the Agreed Framework between the United Sates of America and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, signed in Geneva on October 21, 1994;

(3) calls on North Korea to refrain from further acts of provocation against United States aircraft;

(4) calls on the United States to return to an interim level of compliance with the Agreed Framework; and

(5) calls on member states of the United Nations to join the United States and condemn the actions of North Korea.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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