Posted on 11/28/2001 6:06:34 PM PST by Sawdring
SEOUL: North Korea on Thursday urged the United States to end its hostile policy toward the communist state, warning that it would take "countermeasures".
"We can no longer just sit back. We have no choice but to take countermeasures with the United States persistently raising questions over our human rights record, religion, and demanding an inspection of weapons of mass destruction," a spokesman from its foreign ministry said.
The "hostile attitude" of the US government shows it has no intention of entering into dialogue to settle pending issues, even though it declares itself ready for talks without preconditions, the spokesman said, according to the Yonhap news agency in Seoul.
The spokesman also lamented that Washington had not removed the North from its list of terrorist-sponsoring nations, even though Pyongyang had adopted an anti-terrorism stance, the spokesman said.
North Korea condemned the September 11 terror attacks in the United States but has said it is opposed to the US-led attacks on Afghanistan. "It is absurd for the United States, which puts the yoke of a 'terrorist sponsor' upon us, to call for our cooperation in anti-terrorist activities," the spokesman said through the North's Chungang radio.
He criticised the United States for demanding an inspection of the North's weapons of mass destruction while neglecting Pyongyang's demands for compensation for delays in the construction of light-water reactors.
President George W Bush called on North Korea this week to permit foreign inspectors to verify that it is not producing weapons of mass destruction, and warned Pyongyang to halt foreign missile sales.
Much-delayed construction began in earnest only in September on two nuclear power reactors in North Korea that will produce less weapons-grade plutonium than the communist state's old reactors which were closed under a 1994 accord.
The reactors were originally to be built by 2003 but delays, including the withdrawal of half the North Korean workers over a wage dispute, have pushed back the finish until at least 2008. "All these facts show it has become virtually impossible to settle problems through dialogue," the North's foreign ministry spokesman said.
(AFP)
Yeah right. Countermeasures? North Korea has done nothing but spout empty threats since the end of the Korean War. They are nothing more than a paper tiger, to use a term they'd understand.
Dear Mr commie weasel:
Now is NOT the time to poke the stick at the slowly stirring giant.
Also keep in mind that India hopes to stir us up against THEIR enemies!
How'd you like to see your NORTHERN BORDER TURN INTO , say 5-10 STATES????? THAT can EASILY BE ARRANGED in light of present circumstances!!!!
N.K. Blasts U.S. Hard-line Policy, Warns of 'Countermeasures'
Seoul, Nov. 29 (Yonhap) -- North Korea will seek 'countermeasures' to the U.S.' hostile policy toward it, a spokesman at the North Korean Foreign Ministry said Thursday.
'We can no longer just sit back. We have no choice but to take countermeasures with the United States persistently raising questions over our human rights record, religion, and demanding an inspection of weapons of mass destruction,' the spokesman said via the Korean Central Broadcasting Station.
Surrender to us before we all starve to death. This is your last warning.
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