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latest developments . . .

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=I130WIERYEW5YCRBAELCFFA?type=topNews&storyID=6333119&pageNumber=1

Signs N.Korea Preparing a Missile Test a Worry-U.S.

Sun Sep 26, 2004 03:22 AM ET
By Linda Sieg

(snip)

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (Reuters) - Signs that North Korea is preparing to test a ballistic missile are of great concern, a U.S. commander said on Sunday, adding that the North could be on the verge of big missile technology breakthroughs.The United States believes North Korea already has one or two nuclear weapons and it is known to have missiles that can reach parts of the United States, as well as most of Asia."We all remember that in 1998 they fired that missile that went across the northern part of Japan ... and landed out in the Pacific Ocean," U.S. Pacific Air Forces Commander Gen. Paul V. Hester told reporters, referring to a North Korean missile test."So that is of great concern to this area of the Pacific, and ... it's of great concern to our friends in Japan," Hester said of indications the North was preparing a fresh test.Japanese and U.S. government sources have said in recent days there were signs North Korea, labeled part of an "axis of evil" by President Bush, was preparing to test a ballistic missile.Engineers and vehicles carrying liquid fuel have been seen gathering at North Korean bases housing missiles capable of striking most of Asia and parts of the United States, Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper said on Sunday.Citing Japanese and U.S. government sources, the newspaper said increased activity had been seen at bases designed to launch Taepodong-2 missiles, which have with a range of between 2,175 miles and 3,700 miles as well as Rodong missiles with a range of about 800 miles.Rodong missiles are capable of reaching any part of Japan, the paper said. North Korea is believed to have deployed as many as 200 of the missiles.Japanese and South Korean authorities have played down the possibility that a launch was imminent and North Korea said the reports of launch preparations were "speculation."

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=1284899&PageNum=0

Increased activity fixed at ten North Korean missiles bases

26.09.2004, 07.21

TOKYO, September 26 (Itar-Tass) - An increased activity has been fixed at ten military bases in North Korea, where ballistic missiles Nodon with the range of 1,300 kilometres are situated, the Iomiuri newspaper quoted Japanese and U.S. government sources as saying referring to data by reconnaissance satellites and other surveillance means.

Earlier, an intensive movement of military hardware and personnel, as well as the transportation of nuclear fuel were fixed only at objects in western North Korea. Then, Japan qualified that activity as preparations for a missile launch or an engine test, the newspaper noted.

Now, similar movement is fixed everywhere, including in the zone of silos, which have missiles with an estimated range of up to 6,000 kilometres, capable to reach the U.S. territory.

However, it is not ruled out that the current activity is just part of a large-scale military exercise, the newspaper quoted a high-ranking government official in Japan as saying. The fact that the activity is also registered in other units of the Korean army, including its air force and naval units, testifies to this.

The Japanese defence agency is expected to observe round the clock the activity in North Korea, with the use of all surveillance means.

A moratorium on missile tests was introduced in North Korea after part of a missile launched by Pyongyang flew over Japan and sank in the Pacific Ocean in 1998.