N Korea tells US to end 'hostile' policy (EXCUSE ME? ALERT)

The Financial Times ^ | April 25, 2003 | Andrew Ward, James Harding and Guy Dinmore

[MadIvan]

North Korea on Thursday blamed President George W. Bush for pushing the Korean peninsula to the brink of war and said the "master key" to resolving the crisis was for Washington to drop its "hostile" policy.

The comments came as talks in Beijing between North Korea, the US and China about Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme broke up a day early, with no immediate indication of their success or failure.

US media quoted US officials as saying that Li Gun, North Korea's delegate, confirmed suspicions that Pyongyang had a nuclear weapon. Richard Boucher, state department spokesman, refused to comment on the substance of the talks but said such an admission "would not come as any great surprise".

Colin Powell, US secretary of state, said "strong views" had been exchanged during the two-day meeting, which brought the first face-to-face contact between the US and North Korea since last October, when Washington accused Pyongyang of developing nuclear weapons. "The North Koreans presented their point of view. Strongly. The Chinese did as well, as did the United States," said Mr Powell. The teams would now go home and review "proposals" that emerged from the talks, he said, leaving open the possibility of more dialogue.

Mr Powell said Washington would not be intimidated by Pyongyang. "The North Koreans should not leave the meetings . . . with the slightest impression that the United States and its partners will be intimidated by bellicose statements or by threats."

Mr Boucher later left open the possibility of more three-way talks on Friday, after overnight consultations with their capitals. He also disclosed that the US delegation had met the North Koreans on Tuesday but not Thursday, when James Kelly's team only met the Chinese side. Pyongyang had earlier issued a statement saying war in Iraq had proved its need for a "strong, physical deterrent force" to defend itself against US attack. Only once the US had renounced its "hostile intention" towards North Korea could the two sides discuss inspecting and dismantling nuclear facilities, said Pyongyang. "The US should show its political will to make a bold switchover in its hostile policy towards [North Korea]," said the state news agency. "This is the master key to making the talks fruitful."

North Korea paid tribute to former US president Bill Clinton's "political will" to improve relations and said the current crisis was caused by the change in US policy after Mr Bush's election. "Bilateral relations reached rock bottom as the Bush administration singled out [North Korea] as part of an 'axis of evil' and the target of its pre-emptive attack," it said. "The situation on the Korean peninsula is so tense that a war may break out any moment due to the US moves."

Washington has demanded that North Korea verifiably dismantle its nuclear programme before there can be any improvement in relations. But Pyongyang said the US had used inspections and disarmament as pretexts for war in Iraq and warned it would not fall into the same trap. Analysts said the statement revealed North Korea's fear of US attack and showed Pyongyang was unlikely to end its nuclear programme without a security guarantee from Washington.

US officials on Thursday sought to quash speculation that it might launch air strikes against North Korean nuclear facilities, saying the option would only be considered if evidence emerged that nuclear technology was being sold to terrorists.

[MadIvan]

It is time to beat this repugnant regime to death - I am sick and tired of hearing these bastards threaten the civilised world.

I wonder how Weird Bill feels to get a tribute from them, if he feels anything in particular.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[dinok]

All I have to say is:

MOAB

[Uncle George]

N. Korea has nukes, now its acting like the neighborhood thug who just got a new pair of BRASS KNUCKLES.

[Genesis defender]

One of the most used techniques in covering something up is to accuse your opponent of that which you are doing. N.Korea is taking a classic play out of the Stalin edition of the Communist playbook.

How pathetic.

[drypowder]

North Korea paid tribute to former US president Bill Clinton's "political will" to improve relations and said the current crisis was caused by the change in US policy after Mr Bush's election.

Translates to: "kiss our a$$ and appease us with all the aid we request so we can feed our gov officila and our military and we'll keep developing our nuke program, etc"

[Mr. Silverback]

Time for a "tear down this wall" speech.

[drypowder]

Stalin wrote it, but Clinton perfected it. Kim Jong Ill is probably one of Clinton's most ardent students of his autocratic technique.

[El Gato]

I wonder how Weird Bill feels to get a tribute from them, if he feels anything in particular.

Undoubtably, he likes it, but is PO'd that the checks have stopped coming.

[CyberAnt]

Saw Powell on FOX saying very sternly, "we will not be bullied and we will not be intimidated".

After just witnessing the war - I have a hard time believing N.K. is sane to make these statements.

[MadIvan]

North Korea is obviously a paranoid, psychotic regime. I dare say the hysterics in their statements is a reflection of their internal weakness. As such, strangle the regime economically and blow up their nuke plants.

Regards, Ivan

[CyberAnt]

What risks are there in blowing up the plants ...??

I know Israel blew up the one in Iraq, but we never heard of any dangers associated with that act. I'm not against blowing them up - because we have the MOAB - which should do a great job. My concern is the radiation (or other chemical) danger involved.

[MadIvan]

I can't imagine that our lads can't figure out a way to do it that will minimise the risk. They've shown us some real technological wonders in the past weeks, surely there must be a weapon in the arsenal suited for this task.

Regards, Ivan

[CyberAnt]

Yes, you're right - we have seen some really special effects from our troops these past few weeks.

However, if we do that (blow up their nuke plants), what's to stop N.K. from sending a nuke toward California - not that California doesn't need a little house cleaning - but that's a bit much!

I'm in California, so N.K. could be a real worry to me.

[LizardQueen]

We need good enough intel that we can take it all out at once - the reactors, the missiles, the warheads, and the launchers. If we miss one of the missiles we risk them lighting one off at Japan or us.

I really don't understand that nutty little bastard over there. Every time an epistle comes out of NK I'm left scratching my head thinking "WTF is his PROBLEM???"

LQ

[CyberAnt]

It would have to be "all at once", or there would definitely be a terrible consequence.

My other concern would be the retaliation against our troops at the 38th parallel.

I wonder if we would consider moving them - temporarily - before any strike ...??

[Blue Scourge]

Too bad the neighborhood thug is threating the police officer with the Shotgun and body armor...

Time to turn little Chia Kim into dust.

[prairiebreeze]

I wonder how Weird Bill feels to get a tribute from them,

I'm sure he's basking in the limelight....even it it's slimelight.

Prairie

[Tomcat103]

From what I've heard the Taep'o-dong 2 missiles have the range to hit Alaska. I've read a report where a part of one washed up on the Alaskan shoreline, but that doesn't sound like too successful a test to me. Also, Norad would have gone Ballistic if they would have detected a missile launch heading straight to Alaska. Some Taep'o-dong 3 missiles have been built but never been tested. Do you have any idea how hard it is to develop a working\reliable ICBM? Especially of the Taep'o-dong 3's supposed range. I think some of us are giving more credit to that missile than the NKs are. My feelings are we should take care of the problem soon. BEFORE they have a reliable weapon to reach the lower 48. We let them stew a few years, the problem's going to be worse...

[CyberAnt]

Well ... thanks for the info ... but this President has already shown that he doesn't "stew" well!!