DATE=3/20/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= BUSH / NORTH KOREA (S)

NUMBER=2-287786

BYLINE= PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE= WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

INTRO: President Bush is refusing to certify North Korea's compliance with a 1994 agreement aimed at curtailing its suspected nuclear weapons program. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports, White House officials say Mr. Bush wants to send a strong message to Pyongyang.

TEXT: This is the first time that a U-S president has said north Korea is not in compliance with the 1994 Agreed Framework. But White House Spokesman Ari Fleischer says the United States will live up to its end of the deal.

///FLEISCHER ACT///

The president will accept a recommendation from the Secretary of State to waive certification requirements for North Korea.

///END ACT///

That means about 95 million dollars worth of fuel oil will still be delivered to North Korea. All the same, Mr. Fleischer says there is no question the president has concerns about Pyongyang's nuclear intentions.

///FLEISCHER ACT TWO///

The United States is compliant. This is a message to North Korea that it is important for them to do so as well.

///END ACT///

Under the Agreed Framework, North Korea agreed to freeze its nuclear program in exchange for help building light-water reactors and interim shipments of fuel oil. (signed)

NEB/PW/KBK