N. Korea declares it won't negotiate over nukes anymore

LA Times ^ | 8/31/03 | Barbara Demick

[Pro-Bush]

N. Korea declares it won't negotiate over nukes anymore

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA -- North Korea declared indignantly Saturday that it would conduct no more negotiations over its nuclear program, pouring cold water on people trying hard to put an enthusiastic spin on last week's six-nation talks in Beijing.

"We no longer have interest or expectations either for these kind of talks," a North Korean spokesman told reporters at the Beijing airport, reading from a statement as the delegation prepared to fly home.

The announcement left shrouded in doubt what participants in the talks had said was their key achievement: an agreement to hold another round of talks in about two months. But it quickly was dismissed by some diplomats and observers as a ploy to enhance the North's future bargaining position.

North Korea's official media followed up on the statement with a torrent of criticism about the just-completed summit. The Foreign Ministry dismissed the talks as "not only useless, but harmful," and declared that the North's efforts to develop nuclear weapons would continue.

"We are now more convinced than before that we have no other alternatives but to continue strengthening our nuclear deterrence as a self-defensive measure to protect our sovereignty," said a statement distributed by North Korea's official KCNA news agency.

[Pro-Bush]

Interesting times we live in...

[AdamSelene235]

I have a feeling the French are about to be outraged.

[thinktwice]

to protect our sovereignty

Governments exist to serve people, not to enslave them.

Given that, the government of North Korea has no legitimate right to exist.

[pepsionice]

I think North Korea will awaken in 36 months, with its neighbor Japan...announcing it has nuclear weapons. And an year after that...South Korea will announce their situation. Its a situation that no one wants to see.

My guess is that China is beginning to realize that their puppets to the south...are not quiet puppets, and certainly not smart puppets. We are going to see a quick regime change within the next 12 months...and several key North Korea figures are just going to disappear. China certainly doesn't need a neighbor with itchy trigger fingers around nuclear weapons.

[Imal]

"We no longer have interest or expectations either for these kind of talks"

President Kim Il-Sung was described as "stomping his feet, shaking his fists and biting his lip" as he dictated this statement to one of his aides. Insiders credit the fact that the President becomes "cranky when he hasn't had his nap" for the severity of the policy.

[Pro-Bush]

I think North Korea will awaken in 36 months, with its neighbor Japan...

We are going to see a quick regime change within the next 12 months..

If Kim is gone within 12 months, does your 36 month prophecy go away?

[Imal]

Nothing is ever as it seems with China. They might very well be writing Kim's speeches for him.

[Pro-Bush]

Insiders credit the fact that the President becomes "cranky when he hasn't had his nap" for the severity of the policy.

Kim Il-Sung ..What a looney-bird.

[Pro-Bush]

Given that, the government of North Korea has no legitimate right to exist.

Going bet on this thread is within 12 months Kim is gone..

[pgkdan]

I have a feeling the French are about to be outraged.

Ha! More likely they're about to surrender.

[pgkdan]

Isn't that one of Hillary's pantsuits he's wearing?

[Rome2000]

"We no longer have interest or expectations either for these kind of talks,"

Even of we send back fatty Albright and a billion dollars in rolled up dimes?

How about if we include 500 pair of pajamas and agree to sell dog burgers at McDonalds?

[Rome2000]

He knows all he has to do is wait until the Democrats are in the White House, then South Korea is his.

[Pro-Bush]

Good one. I like Half-Bright's Blue Sailor Suit as well.

[Jason Kauppinen]

Time to send in Secretary of State Carl von Clausewitz to open new negotiations.

[Pro-Bush]

"war is merely the continuation of policy by other means." - Carl von Clausewitz

[edchambers]

I'm inclined to just let China have N. korea.Provided that they stop at the DMZ.Think about it Kim would never expect an attack from his North and then China's economy could be dragged down with the monumental task of rebuilding North Korea.

[Pro-Bush]

Good plan. I'd go along with that.

[Atchafalaya]

Give a little love; give a little dance; GOT DOWN TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Atchafalaya]

Hey, better duck and cover, quick.