U.S. saw North Korea's work to enrich fuel for nukes

The Washington Times ^ | October 18, 2002 | Bill Gertz

[Tailgunner Joe]

North Korea has been working covertly to develop an enrichment capability for nuclear weapons for at least five years and has used technology obtained from Pakistan and other nations, according to U.S. officials.

The issue of North Korea's nuclear-arms program came to a head earlier this month when evidence of the secret program was presented to North Korean officials.

[backhoe]

Cross-link:

-The Atomic Genie- what we know about North Korea's Nuclear program--

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

Colin Powell admitted on Fox News Sunday that North Korea already has 1-2 nukes and that 'we knew about this for some time' (paraphrase but preserving the meaning). If this is true, than, I'm sorry people, but all the current agitation re:Iraq's evil works is a bit stupid, if I may used the mildest possible term. As we all know, N Korea is developing its nukes specifically to deliver them to us and to Japan and they don't deny it. They also have some rather long range missiles, capable of doing the job. And, of course, they are evil, kill their own people, etc., etc.

The above being known then, can anyone, please, explain W's fixation with little, weak Iraq while the evil, murderous N Koreans are getting stronger and more dangerous (as in really dangerous) every day? Could it be that W plans to hit Iraq because... hitting Iraq seems to be easy while dealing with N Korea would be... not that easy?

[Tailgunner Joe]

You understate the situation. We can't deal with N. Korea for the same reason we coudn't 'deal' with the Soviet Union, and why we can't 'deal' with Communist China. Are you willing to trade Los Angeles for Pyongyang? Even I don't hate the Left Coast that much. The whole point of whacking Saddam now is because he doesn't have nukes yet.

As for as Korea, all I can say is, support Anti-Ballistic Missle Defense.

[Free the USA]

fyi

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

Right but, given the context you describe, Iraq doesn't really matter or, in the immortal words of Ms. Dowd:

"But why are we going after a lunatic in Iraq for planning to make a bomb and not a lunatic in North Korea who already has bombs?" the Boy asked.

"At the end of the day," Perle replied, his voice dripping with patience for his student, "Iraq is an easy kill."

[Tailgunner Joe]

Kim Jong Il has nukes. Do you want Saddam to have nukes too?

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

Well then... who's the dangerous one?

[Tailgunner Joe]

They are both dangerous, but Saddam is more dangerous right now because he is cornered and has no bargaining chips. He knows the hammer is about to fall.

The Koreans have admitted their nuclear program because MAD doesn't work unless we know they have nukes. They're hoping it will save their asses.

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

When you write 'he is cornered' you mean he was cornered. I agree, if I was 'evil Saddam' and noticed that I had no escape whatsoever I would probably try to exit the stage with a big bang. I could mess up my entire oil extraction capability for starters (see Kuwait) and maybe try to blow up as much oil-related stuff as possible in Kuwait and Saudi too. Then, load all the uranium and whatever radioactive stuff I got and dump it in Israel and maybe Qatar, if it's where our boys happen to be. Of course, explode every single nuke I had, if I had any.

Now, if he doesn't have the goods, the only reason we would blow up Iraq would be... because we can. But that would teach the N Koreans and others that, if you get these goodies, you better use them our you'll lose them and you may even die. It is also teaching everyone that being Uncle Sam's SOB, like Saddam was to some extent pre-Kuwait, buys you ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. And, if you don't want to exit the stage Noriega style, you do what you must do.

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

The last 2-3 sentences would be the lesson the dictator in Paki would learn. Our puppet in Egypt and those in the little Gulf states too.

[Tailgunner Joe]

We will remove Saddam because he is our enemy. It's regime change for our enemies who don't have nukes, and containment for our enemies who do have them. What about this don't you understand?

[Tailgunner Joe]

But that would teach the N Koreans and others that, if you get these goodies, you better use them our you'll lose them and you may even die.

No, it wouldn't, because Saddam doesn't have nukes.

It is also teaching everyone that being Uncle Sam's SOB, like Saddam was to some extent pre-Kuwait, buys you ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

No it teaches them: "If you want to live, don't get on our bad side."

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

It doesn't look like good vs. evil. It's more like bully vs. the evil crippled dwarf while bully carefully stays away from any other bully-like creature and any crippled dwarf too for as long as he is suspected of bullyism, evil or not.

Not inspiring at all. Quite sick, actually and quite far from that 'we will pay any price' to secure freedom for mankind declaration of old.

[sinkspur]

But that would teach the N Koreans and others that, if you get these goodies, you better use them our you'll lose them and you may even die.

You'll die either way. If you have them, your country will be destroyed if you use them. If you're an outlaw, and you try to get them, YOU'LL be destroyed.

It's ironic: a country which actually acquires a nuclear weapon knows that, if it's ever used, that's the last thing it will ever do.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I thought Jimmah had this all cleaned up in 1993.

[Tailgunner Joe]

If Saddam is a crippled dwarf, what is Usama?

Haven't we learned no threat against the US is too small?

You're either with us ,or you're with the terrorists. This isn't a platitude. It's a statement of fact. We are going to destroy terrorists, and any regime which supports them.

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

Jimmah? Who's Jimmah? 1993 - it was Clinton's first year...

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

This is not my line of argument. My point is that Saddam is VERY far from being a real threat to us. At the same time, there are SEVERAL real threats from some VERY OLD enemyes namely: China, North Korea. Unlike Saddam's Iraq, China and N Korea see themselves as being at war with us and act accordingly. They are more of a danger to us every day.

Us ignoring our real enemies and going after some insignificant dictator is a waste of resources and dangerous in more than one way.

Usama is probably dead but the Al Queda threat will last for as long as everyone believes that the little conflict between Israel and their Arab neighbors is such a big thing that it can not be allowed to solve itself. The conflict would be resolved when we allow Israel and the Arabs to fight until they get tired of fighting and make the kind of piece where there is a winner and a loser. There will be no need for Al Quaeda when that is accomplished.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

There was a story (and I seem to recall) Jimmy Carter going off to NK on his own to "negotiate" peace, just as the Clintons were considering a preemptive strike.
Since Jimmylips had everything under control in the northern far east, Bubba went back to doing when he knew how to best...