I think it's time to start calling AP on this kind of stuff every time they do it. The authors here view this development strictly through the lens of domestic American politics and in the role of hostile opposition toward the sitting administration. They are fools.
It is possible that such luminaries as Riechmann, Gearan, Burns and Margasak actually believe in rewarding this sort of behavior on the part of the North Koreans by diplomatic concessions. But not, I suspect, for the good of the world - they advocate that course of action because they know it will serve to weaken the United States and by extension their political enemy, and that any damage to the former they will be able to lay triumphantly at Bush's door and to hell with the consequences.
Why do they still bother to pretend? The AP has arrogated to itself the role of active political opposition. It isn't even a new organization anymore.
One of the talking heads on Fox said that North Korea was getting its funding for its missiles and weapons from Iran.
Since China can not or will not do anything about North Korea then provide Japan with the bomb.