Hill to Reporters upon Arrival at Narita Airport

Comments to Reporters upon Arrival at Narita Airport

Christopher R. Hill, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs
Narita Airport
Tokyo, Japan
April 9, 2007

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: So, I'm just going to be here for 24 hours and see Mr. Sasae. I think it's a very important week for the Six-Party process, and I hope that we can get back on track with the denuclearization obligations. As you know, this issue of the banking has continued to cause problems for the denuclearization timetable. So we'll have to see how we do by the end of the week. I look forward to consulting here with my Japanese colleagues and then going on to Seoul and probably eventually Beijing by the end of the week.

QUESTION: There are reports that Governor Richardson was told by the North Koreans that they would let in nuclear inspectors as soon as the $25 million was released. Is that your understanding?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: That's always been the understanding, that North Korea would fulfill its obligations according to the 60-day agreement reached in February. The problem has been that they haven't done anything, pending the, what from their point of view is a resolution of the BDA matter, the matter in Macao. I've just come off of an airplane for 12 hours, so I haven’t heard any news.

QUESTION: You mentioned on your way out that you would (inaudible) extending the deadline, so what is the --

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Well, what I'm hopeful is that we have ideas on the way forward. I think Mr. McCormack mentioned that. I'm hopeful that we can make some progress in the next couple of days, such that we can get going on denuclearization -- specifically shutting down the Yongbyon facilities and getting the inspectors in. The problem we have is trying to accomplish this within the 60-day period. So we'll have to see how we do this week. It's going to be a very important week, though.

QUESTION: You've got a new measure for the way to solve the problem?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Well, we've had some ideas. You know we've had a Treasury team there for like two weeks in Beijing. We also had conversations with the North Koreans the week before. So we have some ideas for how we can do this, but it's proven to be a very difficult task. You know, frankly, I think the North Koreans would find the international financial system a lot more hospitable if it were not making weapons of mass destruction, and I think that is the fundamental problem. So I hope we can find a resolution on BDA and get going with shutting down their nuclear program. And then I think the North Koreans will find that many other things are possible for them.

QUESTION: And what is North Korea (inaudible) keep its promise to --

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Well, that's a hypothetical question, so I don't answer hypothetical questions. But it’s a very important week.

QUESTION: According to a report, North Korean Government told to the U.S. delegation that they could make a beginning, but whether they could completely shut down the nuclear facility in Yongbyon will be very difficult. So how do you respond to the --

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: I don't know. I haven't – I've been on an airplane for 12 hours, so all I've seen are some old movies. I haven't seen any new news.

QUESTION: Would a partial shutdown be acceptable?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: No way. Clearly we're aiming for complete fulfillment of the February agreement, and we’d like to get it done by day 60. Obviously that timeline is becoming difficult. But certainly there is no such thing as partial.

QUESTION: (Inaudible)

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Well, I'll be curious to see how (Gov. Bill Richardson’s) talks went. As you know, he was in North Korea to accept some Korean War remains. Presumably some other subjects came up in his discussions, and I'll be looking forward to hearing what he had to say.

QUESTION: The BDA money, is there any prospect for moving to which country, which bank?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: I think the problem has been that because North Korea has been engaged in these weapons programs and engaged in financing these programs, that they're having some problems moving finances through the international financial system. And I think the best way they can deal with this is to get on to denuclearization. So, as I said, this is a very big week for that, and I'm hopeful that we have some ideas for moving ahead on Banco Delta Asia. I hope the North Koreans will understand where their interests lie, and their interests lie in getting on with the task of denuclearization.

All right? So if you'll excuse me --

QUESTION: On the abduction issue, Japan set a clear criteria, a definition of progress.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Yes, I'm sorry, what is the question?

QUESTION: Regarding the abduction issue.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Whenever I come here I talk to Japanese officials about that matter. In fact, frankly speaking, whenever I see the North Koreans I talk to them about that matter. So I know that this was a subject during the Japanese-North Korean bilateral that took place in Hanoi, and I know that it was a difficult subject. But obviously we would like to see progress on that.

QUESTION: When you left Washington yesterday, I think you said by tomorrow, by Tuesday, some movement will happen in the BDA issue.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Well, we hope that it will. Tuesday is the first day that banks are open in Macau after the Easter holiday, so we'll see. But I haven't heard any announcements. OK?

QUESTION: Could you tell me your schedule?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: I'm going to try to get to the hotel and get a shower and a shave – schedule number one. Schedule number two – I think I'm having dinner tonight with Mr. Sasae. And then beyond that I'm at the mercy of the American Embassy. I'm sure they've made some other appointments for me.

QUESTION: And then tomorrow you go to Seoul?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: I think tomorrow night I'm going to Seoul.

QUESTION: Tomorrow night? And when will you go to China?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: I think that’s yet to be determined, but I believe I will go there on Thursday morning – I believe. But it will depend on what I'm doing in Seoul, and also there are some issues about meeting my Chinese counterpart and whether he will be available on Thursday in Beijing. So it's a little flexible.

All right? So I better go before I fall asleep on you. OK, we’ll see you.

Released on April 9, 2007

ENDS

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