"Thanks, Bill."
Posted on 10/16/2002 6:53:31 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
|
U.S. Source: N. Korea Says Has Nukes
Wed Oct 16, 7:51 PM ET
By GEORGE GEDDA, Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - North Korea (news - web sites) has told the United States it has a secret nuclear weapons program in violation of an agreement signed with the Clinton administration, a senior administration official said Wednesday night.
North Korea also told U.S. diplomats it no longer beholden to the anti-nuclear agreement, said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The disclosure, which stunned senior administration officials, is certain to chill U.S.-North Korean relations. President Bush (news - web sites) had labeled the country part of the "axis of evil" — along with Iraq and Iran — but hopes were raised that the reclusive nation wanted to build international ties when Bush sent Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly to Pyongyang for security talks.
Kelly visited North Korea on Oct. 3-5 and demanded that the communist state address global concerns about its nuclear and other weapons programs.
In response, the Pyongyang government accused Bush's special envoy of making "threatening remarks." The United States refused all comment on the dicussions,
Under a 1994 agreement with the United States, North Korea promised to give up its nuclear weapons program, and it promised to allow inspections to verify that it did not have the material needed to construct such weapons.
But it has yet to allow the inspections, drawing criticism from the Bush administration.
The source said Kelly also raised with North Korea evidence that North Korea may have a uranimum-enrichment program. The program, which the United States believes would only be used to develop a nuclear bomb, began under the Clinton administration, according to the official.
Surprisingly, North Korea confirmed the allegation.
The administration has not decided how to respond. "We're going to keep talking," the official said.
After months of tension with South Korea (news - web sites), the North resumed high-level talks in August that restarted stalled reconciliation efforts on the Korean peninsula — divided by the most heavily armed border in the world. The Koreas were divided after World War II and remained that way at the end of the inconclusive Korean War from 1950-53. About 37,000 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against the North. |
I was just thinking ... I'm so glad Bill Clinton was looking out for us the whole time.
If so, what is Bush up to?
If not, the Intelligence agencies should be the top priority problem for Bush to tackle.
By the way, doesn't China have nukes too? And what's the relationship of China and North Korea with Iraq - friends or foes?
Yes, it is. One of these days there will be notice of an underground test back in the mountains of N Kor. The other shoe.
"Thanks, Bill."
I can not believe that another government would be in violation of an agreement that was made with the most "ethical" administration in the history of America.
(The word "ethical" "is" re-definable based on party affiliation.
This story needs a source.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.