Remarks Upon Departure From Manila

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: These are short range systems, and they have fired them off before. It is something they have done on several occasions. Obviously, we would prefer the North Koreans spend their time getting out of nuclear programs rather than firing off missiles, but this has been done before.

QUESTION: So you don’t see anything wrong with it?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Do you think that is how you would summarize my answer? I think they could be doing more productive things elsewhere, but this is not unusual. They have done this before.

QUESTION: How serious is this in terms of the activities of the Six Party Talks?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: This does not affect the Six Party Talks. Again, from time to time, their military tests these short range missiles. It is obviously not anything that is ever going to contribute to their security, and we would prefer they spend their time figuring out how to denuclearize and how to join the international community. But this is not unusual.

QUESTION: This was conducted while the ASEAN Regional Forum was in session. Is this significant?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: I doubt the North Koreans were paying a lot of attention to the ASEAN Regional Forum, sorry to say. Unlike the rest of us.

QUESTION: Do you think it was an attempt to send any signal?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: No, I do not. Their military operates on their own time schedule, and they probably had scheduled some tests of their short-range systems. I do not think this is something to be surprised about.

QUESTION: What reports came to you about these tests?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: I have just seen the news reports.

QUESTION: But you were able to confirm this?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: My understanding is that there was confirmation, but all I have now are the press reports.

QUESTION: [Inaudible]

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: We have said on many occasions that what North Korea needs to do is to focus on their future. And their future is going to be assured by getting out of the nuclear weapons business and figuring out how to work well with their neighbors. Obviously, these acts today have nothing to do with that.

Thank you.