UN / FELTMAN DPRK

Upon his return from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, said “in my professional career, this was certainly the most important mission I’ve ever undertaken,” and added that “we’ve left the door ajar, and I fervently hope that the door to a negotiated solution will now be opened wide.” UNIFEED

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:35
• Production Date: 12 December 2017
• Asset Language: English
• Personal Subject: JEFFREY FELTMAN
• Corporate Name: DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL AFFAIRS - DPA; SECURITY COUNCIL
• Subject Topical: NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION; PEACE AND SECURITY; POLITICAL CRISIS
• Geographic Subject: DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
• MAMS Id: 2058445
• Parent Id: 2058445
• Alternate Title: unifeed171212g

Description

STORY: UN / FELTMAN DPRK
TRT: 02:35
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 12 DECEMBER 2017, NEW YORK CITY / FILE

Shotlist

FILE – RECENT, NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, exterior United Nations headquarters

12 DECEMBER 2017, NEW YORK CITY

2. Wide shot, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman walks up to podium
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, United Nations:
“In my professional career, this was certainly the most important mission I’ve ever undertaken. I felt the sense of responsibility on my shoulders throughout the time that I was there. Time will tell what was the impact of our discussions, but I think we’ve left the door ajar, and I fervently hope that the door to a negotiated solution will now be opened wide.”
4. Wide shot, Feltman at the podium
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, United Nations:
“I underlined that the international community is both committed to a peaceful political solution to the situation on the Korean Peninsula and united in its opposition to the DPRK’s pursuit of nuclear weapons. I emphasised the importance of opening or reopening technical channels of communication such as the military to military hotline, to reduce risks, to signal intentions to prevent misunderstandings, and manage any crisis.”
6. Wide shot, Feltman at the podium
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, United Nations:
“North Korean interlocutors agreed it was important to prevent war. How they do that, how we do that was the topic of 15-plus hours of discussions. Now, you know, I’ve been part of a foreign ministry myself, and I know how this stuff works. The people who we met listened carefully to our arguments, they explored our thinking, they asked questions, they argued with us. But ultimately, they have to take what we said and talk about it internally, talk about it with their leadership. So, that’s why I am reluctant to say now what is the impact of our visit, what is the impact of our pressing to move forward in the political track, because they need time to digest and consider how they will respond to our message.”
8. Wide shot, Feltman at the podium
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, United Nations:
“I would characterise the trip as constructive and productive in being able to convey the concerns of the Secretary-General, that of course derives from the concerns of the international community and the Security Council. I believe that we were able to do that, but whether it was successful in persuading them to accept some of our suggestions, only time will tell. Thank you all.”
9. Pam right, Feltman walks away

Storyline

Upon his return from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, today (12 Dec) said “In my professional career, this was certainly the most important mission I’ve ever undertaken,” and added that “we’ve left the door ajar, and I fervently hope that the door to a negotiated solution will now be opened wide.”

Speaking to reporters after briefing the Security Council, Feltman said that in his discussions “I underlined that the international community is both committed to a peaceful political solution to the situation on the Korean Peninsula and united in its opposition to the DPRK’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.”

He said he had “emphasised the importance of opening or reopening technical channels of communication such as the military to military hotline, to reduce risks, to signal intentions to prevent misunderstandings, and manage any crisis.”

Feltman said his North Korean interlocutors “agreed it was important to prevent war,” but added that “ultimately, they have to take what we said and talk about it internally, talk about it with their leadership” and “they need time to digest and consider how they will respond to our message.”

Finally, he said “I would characterise the trip as constructive and productive in being able to convey the concerns of the Secretary-General, that of course derives from the concerns of the international community and the Security Council. I believe that we were able to do that, but whether it was successful in persuading them to accept some of our suggestions, only time will tell.”