Anyway, Russia is doggedly claiming that it is indeed the nuclear blast and the World should treat N. Korea as a nuclear power. Why so insistent while many others are not really sure? Especially, the Russian Defense Minister?==
It is just because it was the NK-test of warhead of newest russian ICBM Topol-M which Russia sold to NK in amount 100 devices in order to they resell them to Iran with price $1 bln per device (the nice price isn't it?:).
So the price is right and Russia makes lot of money but you may image that KGB-colonel Putin couldn't directly sell them to Iran fearing to piss off Europe and USA.
So then NK just tested what Russia delivered them. If the explosion wasn't nuclier then it means that Russia deceived NK and Iran and sold then nonnuclier warheads as nuclier which is huge deceipt. Russia losing face before her customers and incoming deals with Hugo Chavez which is about 100 Topol-M more will go under.
Hence to defend russian business, Russian defense minister just compels NK offocials now that the warheads on sold newest ICBMs are nuclier indeed.
Perhaps Russia can clear up a lot of misunderstanding by showing why they are sure it is a nuclear blast instead of insisting that it is so.
Russia has alway play down whatever provocation N. Korea created. This time, it did the exact opposite, even when China was not sure. This really raises some suspicion.
Coupled with horizontal shaft design being originally Russian, it raises a lot of speculation.
Personally, I would not be surprised if Russia helped out test site design. As for mini-nukes, I am not so sure if that is really the case.
By the way, I wonder how soon you turn up. Longer than I thought.:) You must have been sleeping. You need to recruit RusIvan2 as a backup.:)
Hence to defend russian business, Russian defense minister just compels NK offocials now that the warheads on sold newest ICBMs are nuclier indeed..."
I believe you're correct, RusIvan! In America, it's called a 'Flim-Flam' game.
Good catch on your part, and your Russian insight is valuable. Thank you................FRegards