Posted on 06/05/2005 12:24:37 AM PDT by HAL9000
TOKYO, June 5 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has imported about 150 tons of high-strength aluminum from an unidentified Russian exporter as part of its nuclear weapons program, Japan's Asahi Shimbun reported Sunday, citing U.S. intelligence sources.The amount of high-strength aluminum is enough to produce about 2,600 gas centrifuges used to enrich uranium, the report explained.
Identifying the U.S. sources simply as former ranking Washington officials and officials involved in the six-party nuclear disarmament talks, the Japanese paper said such moves by the North have further escalated the international standoff over its nuclear ambition.
Separately, Pyongyang is known to have obtained 20 centrifuges and their blueprints from Pakistan years ago. An American source was quoted by Asahi as saying North Korea was seeking to secure a total of 350 tons of high-strength aluminum to produce about 6,000 centrifuges.
Fears of a North Korean nuclear test have grown after the communist state halted the operation of a key nuclear reactor in April in an apparent attempt to harvest plutonium for nuclear weapons.
In early May, North Korea said it finished unloading about 8,000 plutonium-laced spent fuel rods from the suspended reactor at its main nuclear complex in Yongbyon, north of Pyongyang, fueling suspicions about the North's nuclear ambitions. Up to three nuclear bombs worth of plutonium can be extracted from the rods, experts say.
The fuel used in nuclear warheads can come from either uranium enrichment or plutonium reprocessing. North Korea has pursued both tracks.
The six-nation talks, which involve the two Koreas, the U.S., China, Japan and Russia, remain stalled since the third round last June. A fourth meeting, scheduled before the end of last September, did not take place due to a North Korean boycott.
North Korea for high intensity aluminum tube supply uranium enrichment and American information
2005 June 05th 09:29
The core part of the evidence which American government has grasped concerning the uranium enrichment plan which becomes beginning of the North Korean nuclear crisis which starts in October of 02, was ascertained. North Korea procures 150 ton high intensity aluminum tubes which equal to equivalent of centrifugal separator 2600 for uranium enrichment from the Russian trader. It had ordered 200 tons to also the German trader. Via "the black market of the nucleus" of Pakistani Caen doctor, you obtained also real thing 20 approximately design figures of the centrifugal separator. Such North Korean movement nuclear problem became intensified in opportunity, became the trigger where "the United States and Korea framework agreement" of 94 years collapses.
The group of 6 person conference authorized personnel who include the former American government official made clear. You see that, American government estimating from such supply, history has made the uranium enrichment plan work by approximately centrifugal separator 6000 already, or has aimed toward work.
Information section of American government grasped such information to June of 02. It succeeded in the procurement 150 ton of high intensity aluminum tubes which become the part of the centrifugal separator from the Russian trader, but trying that April of 03, the trader will export with non permission, concerning the aluminum tube 200 ton from Germany it was exposed by the investigation authorities, not yet finally ended.
As for the aluminum tube which North Korea imports, with the same material as the aluminum tube which is used in the centrifugal separator which the uranium enrichment enterprise corporation of the English German Dutch joint venture developed, "it agreed (the former American government official) with you call also size at the millimeter unit". Because of this as for information section, as for North Korea having planned the work of uranium enrichment plan you say that it judged that it is clear.
As for American side passing the conference inside administration, October of 02, pointing out uranium enrichment problem with the United States and Korea official conference in Pyongyang. After the conference, as for American side North Korea "possession was recognized", that it announced, the United States and Korea opposition became deep at a stroke, was connected to the collapse of the United States and Korea framework agreement.
As for Under Secretary of State assistant before the Kelly which is American government head representation of 6 person conferences, if in 04 February of incumbent that time lecture, the North Korean uranium enrichment plan works, it pointed out that the nuclear weapon the highly enriched uranium which year 2 or more can be produced can be produced.
The authorized personnel the estimation which stands on the fact that North Korea at least has guaranteed centrifugal separator 2600 high intensity aluminum tubes points out concerning this. "This expressed the viewpoint of the lowest line".
As for another American government source "as for those which cover North Korea securely they are 150 tons, but it had been about to procure the aluminum tube 350 ton of total. When it converts, it climbs the target scale of concentration plan at least in centrifugal separator 6000 ", that doing, it showed the anxiety to the possibility the North Korean uranium enrichment plan developing.
Caen doctor who makes the center "of the black market of the nucleus" from nineties latter halves dividing into several times 04 years, vis-a-vis the Pakistani investigation authorities, that it offered approximately real thing 20 to North Korea, testified "the father of the Pakistani with nuclear development". This information summer of last year, was conveyed to also the Japanese government from the Pakistani government.
With S. Korea providing electricity to N. Korea as a part of economic aid package, those centrifuges must be spinning like mad to produce enriched uranium, which can make simpler and easier-to-maintain nukes.
Logistic contraband Ping!
By the way, the tubes in question are reportedly the product of Russian company Urenko. Apparently, the dimension of tubes matches down to the millimeter with those from Urenko.
Ping!
..Just Dandy!
Dutch nuclear technology has been made known to North Korea and Libya
The technique worked out by the Dutch firm 'Urenko' for centrifuging uranium has possibly become known in North Korea and Libya, RIA 'News' reports with a link to the Dutch parliament press service. This technology is also the main basis for Iran's nuclear program.
No, No, No. Don't worry, these tubes are for artillery rockets, just like the similar tubes found in Iraq. </sarcasm>
The report I came across said that Urenko is under some British/Dutch/German holding company. I thought that Urenko was a Russian company taken over by the holding company. I guess I was wrong.
Thanks for your info. Now I wonder what Putin would do anything about it. Probably none.
There are several posts here that you will want to read.
WOW I am not suprise if Vlad selling nuke and other goodies to Chia Pet Kim Jong 11
The article above is from January 20th, 2004, so it could be owned by anyone these days. As to what Putin plans on doing about it, I guess 18 months on the answer is probably 'nothing'.
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