News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: US-NK Discuss Searches

Date: December 13, 2000

"U.S., North Korea Open Talks on 2001 MIA Searches

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Reuters) - U.S. and North Korean officials began talks in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday to set next year's schedule to search for the remains of American troops listed as missing from the Korean War, the United States said.

A statement released by the U.S. embassy in Kuala Lumpur said the discussions -- which are due to last until Friday or Saturday -- would center on the search for the remains of around 8,000 American troops still listed as missing in action (MIA) from the 1950-53 war.

The talks come a day after U.S. officials said Washington believed it was on the verge of a deal to curb North Korea (news - web sites)'s missile program and is likely to undertake talks that could result in President Clinton (news - web sites) visiting Pyongyang.

The Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur has been a regular venue for U.S.-North Korean talks on Pyongyang's missile program, with the most recent meeting between the two sides occurring last month.

Five joint recovery operations this year have found 65 sets of suspected remains of U.S. servicemen, which have been sent to the United States for identification.

Forty-two sets of remains were found between 1996 and 1999, of which five have been positively identified and a further 10 are in the final stages of verification, the statement said.

A commitment by North Korea to stop long range missile test launches and curtail exports of missiles to countries such as Pakistan and some Middle East states, could prompt Clinton to visit the North Korean capital before he leaves office on Jan. 20. "