THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 30, 1994 TAG: 9412300496
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A2 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
Key dates in U.S.-North Korea dispute over the downed American
helicopter.
Dec. 17: A U.S. Army OH-58A helicopter enters North Korean
airspace and goes down. North Korea says its gunners shot down the
chopper. U.S. Rep. Bill Richardson arrives in North Korea on a
previously arranged visit and begins negotiations to secure the
release of the pilots, Bobby Hall, who was captured, and David
Hilemon, who was killed.
Dec. 18: The U.S. government demands the return of the two
airmen, saying their chopper accidentally drifted across the border.
North Korea does not respond.
Dec. 20: The U.S. warns that a $4 billion nuclear deal with North
Korea could be affected unless the crewmen are released soon.
Dec. 21: North Korea agrees to return Hilemon's body but says it
wants to investigate the downing.
Dec. 22: Hilemon's body is returned, accompanied by Richardson,
who said North Korean officials have agreed to release Hall soon,
possibly by Christmas.
Dec. 25: Gen. Gary Luck, the chief U.S. military commander in
South Korea, delivers a letter to North Korea in which the U.S.
expresses regret over the incident.
Dec. 27: President Clinton dispatches State Department diplomat
Thomas Hubbard to North Korea. Shortly afterward, North Korea claims
the pilots were on a spy mission.
Dec. 29: North Korea releases a statement it says is a
``confession'' by Hall. Hours later, Hubbard reaches an agreement to
secure Hall's release.
Dec. 30: Hall is released in Panmunjom in the demilitarized zone
that separates the two Koreas.
KEYWORDS: NORTH KOREA by CNB