Following is the text of his confirmation hearing statement, as prepared for delivery:

Confirmation Hearing Statement
by Charles L. Pritchard
Before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
November 6, 2001

Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, it is indeed a great honor to appear before you today as President Bush's nominee for the rank of Ambassador during my tenure as Special Envoy for Negotiations with the DPRK and as the United States Representative to the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization.

I spent more than 28 years in uniform in service to my country, a family tradition I inherited from my father and father-in-law and one that my son continues today. I have another son who spent 2 years in the Americorps program. All told, my immediate family has proudly served our nation for more than 90 years in and out of uniform. But Mr. Chairman, as proud as I am of that service to country, I am even prouder to have my wife Jean with me here today.

She has been my partner and best friend for more than 31 years. She advised me to pass up a lucrative offer in the private sector in favor of the opportunity to continue public service. I am grateful to her for that advice.

I am especially grateful to the President and Secretary of State for placing their confidence in me through this nomination and allowing me to continue to serve my country. I believe my experiences in dealing with North Korea for the past 5 years have prepared me for this important undertaking. Mr. Chairman, I have had the pleasure of briefing Senate and House staffers on the results of the policy review and I had the distinct honor of testifying before the Asia-Pacific Sub-Committee of the House International Relations Committee and, if confirmed, look forward to continued work with the Committee, interested Members of Congress, and other Americans to represent the United States and carry out the policies of the President in negotiations with the DPRK and as U.S. Representative to KEDO.

As you know, the Administration conducted a thorough and inclusive review of its policy toward North Korea. The President announced the results of that review on June 6. He directed his national security team to undertake serious discussions with North Korea on a broad agenda to include: improved implementation of the Agreed Framework relating to North Korea's nuclear activities; verifiable constraints on North Korea's missile programs and a ban on its missile exports; and a less threatening conventional military posture.

These are goals that we share with our key allies, the Republic of Korea and Japan. Key to our policy approach has been our focus on our allies. We have had three Trilateral Coordination and Oversight Group (or TCOG) meetings with our allies this year to discuss and coordinate our policy. We have a fourth meeting scheduled later this month.

While we have conveyed to North Korea our desire to have serious talks without preconditions, we have not yet received a positive response from Pyongyang. However, inter-Korean dialogue has resumed. It has not been without its problems, but we are very supportive of the interaction between Seoul and Pyongyang. The 6th North-South Ministerial is scheduled for 9-12 November at Mt. Kumgang.

Mr. Chairman, there is important work to be done in support of the Agreed Framework and directly with the DPRK.

If confirmed, I will work closely as the head of an interagency team to carry out the President's instructions to negotiate with the North Koreans and represent our interests in KEDO matters. I look forward to continued consultations with the Committee.

Thank you.