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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James B. Foley, Deputy Spokesman
April 13, 1999

Four Party Talks: Fifth Plenary
To Convene April 24

As a result of Four Party working group consultations begun in New York April 5, the U.S., China, the ROK, and the DPRK have agreed to convene the Fifth Plenary of the Four Party Talks in Geneva beginning April 24, 1999. U.S. Special Envoy for the Korean Peace Talks, Ambassador Charles Kartman, will lead the U.S. delegation. The United States will chair the Fifth Plenary, per the agreed rotation.

The U.S. goals in the Four Party Talks continue to be the reduction of tension on the Korean Peninsula and replacing the Armistice by the achievement of a permanent peace arrangement there. Two subcommittees respectively addressed these goals during the Fourth Plenary and will continue their work at the Fifth Plenary.

As in the past, the Swiss government is providing facilitative assistance for the talks, and we are grateful for its support.

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