U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Assistant
Secretary/Spokesman
Taken Questions for September 17, 1993

1.  India-US Bilateral Security Talks
Q:  Could we have a readout of the India-U.S. Bilaterals?

A:  THE THIRD ROUND OF INDO-U.S. BILATERAL DISCUSSIONS ON
DISARMAMENT, NON-PROLIFERATION AND REGIONAL SECURITY ISSUES WAS
HELD IN WASHINGTON FROM SEPTEMBER 15-16, 1993 .

--THESE MEETINGS ARE PART OF OUR ONGOING BILATERAL DIALOGUE. 
THE DISCUSSIONS COVERED GLOBAL AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS AS WELL
AS RECENT INITIATIVES ON ISSUES SUCH AS THE COMPREHENSIVE TEST
BAN TREATY AND CUT-OFF OF FISSILE MATERIAL PRODUCTION FOR
WEAPONS PURPOSES.

OTHER SPECIFIC ISSUES OF INTEREST TO INDIA AND THE UNITED STATES
WERE ALSO DISCUSSED.  BOTH SIDES REITERATED A DESIRE TO EXAMINE
INITIATIVES TO ENHANCE SECURITY THROUGH A PROCESS OF CONFIDENCE
BUILDING.


2.  INDIA: FIVE POWER REGIONAL SECURITY TALKS
Q:  Is there going to be a Five-Party conference on security in
South Asia?

A:  THE UNITED STATES HAS LONG BELIEVED THAT A MULTILATERAL
PROCESS WOULD BE HELPFUL IN RESOLVING SECURITY CONCERNS IN SOUTH
ASIA.

--ONE IDEA ADVANCED IN THE PAST WAS TO HOLD A CONFERENCE
INCLUDING INDIA, PAKISTAN, CHINA, RUSSIA, AND THE UNITED
STATES.

--WE ARE CONTINUING BILATERAL CONSULTATIONS WITH PAKISTAN,
INDIA, AND OTHER COUNTRIES WITH AN INTEREST IN SOUTH ASIAN
SECURITY AND PROLIFERATION ISSUES.

--ALL AGREE THAT AN APPROPRIATELY STRUCTURED MULTILATERAL FORUM
COULD BE USEFUL AT THE PROPER TIME, BUT SPECIFIC ARRANGEMENTS
HAVE NOT YET BEEN WORKED OUT.


3.  NORTH KOREA -- 34TH U.S.-DPRK MEETING IN BEIJING

Q:  Has there been another meeting in Beijing between USG and
North Korean diplomats?  Any details?

A:  YES.  THE U.S. AND DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
POLITICAL COUNSELORS MET IN BEIJING ON SEPTEMBER 15 FOR THE 34TH
TIME.  AS YOU KNOW, WE DO NOT CHARACTERIZE THE CONTENT OF THESE
DIPLOMATIC DISCUSSIONS.(###)

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