Korea: Russian Official Predicts 'Catastrophic' Events Within Days

smh.com.au ^ | April 24 2003 | AFP

[Destro]

Russian official predicts 'catastrophic' events

April 24 2003

A top Russian Foreign Ministry official was quoted as saying yesterday in Tokyo that a "catastrophic" development of events in the US-North Korean nuclear standoff was imminent and could occur within the next day.

"It is probable that, as early as tomorrow, there will be a catastrophic development of events," Itar-Tass quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov as saying.

He added that the standoff had "reached an extreme stage" but did not give a more detailed explanation about his warning.

Losyukov holds the Asian affairs brief in the ministry.

His comments came as US Asia envoy James Kelly had a first round of low-key nuclear talks in Beijing with "axis of evil" foe North Korea.

Losyukov said that Russia would welcome progress in Kelly's negotiations with Li Gun, the North Korean Foreign Ministry's deputy director for US affairs and a former senior member of his country's delegation to the United Nations.

"If the danger is defused, we would only welcome this," Losyukov said.

China was represented by Fu Ying, director of the Foreign Ministry's department of Asian affairs, but Russia - which had sought to play a role in mediating the Washington-Pyongyang standoff - was excluded.

Losyukov said Russia did not feel snubbed by the decision.

Russia "does not feel left out or hurt," said Losyukov, whose comments came after a meeting with top Japanese Foreign Ministry officials.

Moscow had pushed for direct talks between North Korea and the United States and argued against Washington's demands for a multilateral format for such negotiations.

But Beijing managed to broker a compromise deal that would see the two sides hold talks with China as an active third party.

Those may be later joined by South Korea and Japan -- but Russia's own role in the negotiations seems uncertain.

President Vladimir Putin has enjoyed privileged relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. He has met the reclusive Stalinist three times over the past two years and Moscow diplomats have insisted that they were still hard at work in trying to resolve the nuclear standoff.

Moscow "is doing all it can in the diplomatic arena," Losyukov was quoted as saying. He gave no further details.

AFP

[Blood of Tyrants]

Calling Chicken Little!

[Conspiracy Guy]

I predict that there will be weather probably most everyday. I can't really back that up it is just a gut feeling.

[Destro]

I love to stir up the Gog and Magog crowd.

[Paul Ross]

War & Rumors of war. Time to batten down the hatches?

[Dog Gone]

I can't imagine anything happening while talks are underway.

[Congressman Billybob]

Seems like the right time for this classic statement, "Send lawyers, guns and money. All Hell has broken loose."

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, now up on FR, "Who's Next?"

Latest book(let), "to Restore Trust in America."

[AnAmericanMother]

That's what most people thought while the Japanese ministers were in talks in Washington D.C. in 1941.

[xJones]

Losyukov said Russia did not feel snubbed by the decision.

Russia "does not feel left out or hurt," said Losyukov, whose comments came after a meeting with top Japanese Foreign Ministry officials.

It reads like at least Losyukov's feelings got catastrophically hurt.

[onedoug]

"Things will be as they may." Nym, Henry V

[caa26]

If Kim Jong-il sets off a nuke or launches a missile strike on Japan, he'll meet Saddam's fate in about 24 hours time. I can't see anything happening with talks underway, but maybe Kim Jong-il is getting crazier and more delusional in his old age.

[WellsFargo94]

Someone needs to send these people to their rooms until they can act their ages.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

NK is just like the trash-talking punk on the sidelines of a basketball pickup game. All talk and no game.

These people are nothing but chumps.

[widgysoft]

has anyone got a link to the Kim Jong weblog?

[ALOHA RONNIE]

...T'was Anti-U.S. ..

...HILLARY RODHAM & BILL CLINTON that fired North Korea up in the first place in an attempt to make it more difficult for BUSH to bring Freedom to Iraq.

...HILLARY predicted bad things would be coming our way from N. Korea and I figure she should and does know.

...Yes, batten down the hatches...

...but keep an Eye out for HILLARY too.

[mabelkitty]

It will be shot down by a Patriot, right over North Korea.

[Arkinsaw]

I can't imagine anything happening while talks are underway.

Hmmmm, wonder if anyone said that on December 6, 1941.

[Dog Gone]

True.

[drjoe]

Now I'm hiding in Honduras
I'm a desperate man
Send lawyers, guns and money
The sh*t has hit the fan
Warren Zevon Lawyers Guns and Money

[Nexus]

We best prepare for an imminent, surprise invasion of South Korea by the North. They would have no other choice, in their minds - wouldn't want to end up like Saddam (ie waiting for a buildup to complete).

I'd imagine they could filter their troops to Seoul very quickly.

Do we still have a carrier off the coast?