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

[CholeraJoe]

Is Kim Jong-Il wearing his brown pants?

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Comrade Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov is only hyping the seriousness of the Korean/US situation to inflate his and his country's importance in the whole scenario.

Nothing to see here...move along.

[don'tbedenied]

While we're quoting Zevon:

Nuclear arms in the Middle East,
Isreal's attacking the Iraquis,
the Syrians are mad at the Lebanese,
Bagdad does whatever she please,
Looks like another threat to world peace,
Send the Envoy.

[HonorInPa]

Actually the quote is "Send lawyers, guns and money, the shit has hit the fan" Warren Zevon

[cpdiii]

If our forces are overwelmed, do we have a plan to get the 30,000 out of there in short order? Would we then bother with a Normandy style invasion?

They will not be overwhelmed. Before George Bush would let that happen North Korea would be hit with tacticle nukes.

[Wingsofgold]

Gettin real tiresome, ain't it?

[Mr. Mojo]

Considering the Russians' prognostication record, we can all rest assured that nothing major will happen on the peninsula anytime soon.

[Ciexyz]

Yup, I saw the latest James Bond film, I know what creeps the No' Koreans are. (smile)

[kjam22]

Kwazy Kim bwak-mayo x-fortee-tu, bt heee no bwak-mayo dis won.

[Nexus]

North Korea would be hit with tacticle nukes.

Unfortunatley, I believe that's the only way we could hold them off. 1 million vs 30,000 - I don't like those odds.

[Lee Heggy]

Baghdad Bob is alive afterall!

[steveegg]

You forgot that South Korea has roughly 400,000 troops. Because North Korea has no air force to speak of, the normal 3-1 ratio for attacking a dug-in force would be required.

I think that if NK wants to pull it off, they'd need to use nukes of their own and get Russia/Red China to threaten to take it worldwide if we respond in kind.

[steveegg]

Nah, he's Moscow Mike.

[American Soldier]

I don't know why everybody says "vs. 30,000." They seem to forget that the South Koreans are no joke. We purposely kept them weak before the Korean War, but as soldiers they were no joke at that time! A very large number of the dead Red Chinese and Nikkies owed their fate to Korean soldiers, U.S. and Chinese films notwithstanding.

Now there are about 600,000 of them read to defend and they are tough bastards, now much better-equipped and trained. We would have to reinforce to beat the Nikkies back all the way to Pyongyang, but if the DPRK decided to attack today there would be no mad dash to the southern tip of the peninsula like they pulled off last time.

[duk]

NK has used up all their cheap talk and tricks. For the most part they are being ignored by everyone. The talks going on right now are low level chit-chat sessions.

The Russians statement should not be brushed aside as a rant. NK has nothing to lose, a terrible situation for an individual, for a nation it means war. The reasons for war don't matter anymore then the outcome!

Better known as SUICIDE.

[Sender]

A "catastrophic event" to a diplomat might mean having to stay at the Motel 6, or the absence of a wine list.

[onyx]

Vodka-speak.