[L,TOWM]

I'm not too sure as to how much of catspaw the DPRK is for anyone at this point. I know that Cuba and other nations have become pretty much "free agents" over the last few years, after the Soviet Aid Train stopped delivering.

Had RFR been keeping up on food, resource, and ruble aid in the last few years, I would agree with you wholeheartedly, and be pointing the finger at Bush to have a heart to heart with Putin. With the kind of stuff we are talking about here, any hint of Russian involvement in the DPRK's nuclear program would probably be much for the Russians, considering the potential payoff.

No, I think that there is something else at work here. Of course, I don't know everything. This just seems a little too close to another situation of an Asian country's leaders getting themselves into a situation where an unwinnable war look's like the "best" choice available at the moment.

[Just mythoughts]

I don't know everything either, just connecting the dots.

Russia is out to stop us from cleaning house in Iraq,
as well as France and Germany, but more importantly so is Hillary and Bill Clinton and the socialist here at home.

China has been laying very low during this time; Russia just sent them more military equipment.

Where are China's interest? Taiwan, Panama Canal, Long Beach, and keeping N. Koreans in North Korea.

It was WE the US Bill Clinton and gang that filled the ruble void to North Korea. Not China, they were getting what they needed from US also. via campaign dollars.

Remember how much money Russia got from us via algore? Large part of this went into Yeltsin's pockets.

I have no idea if Stalin's agreement with China in mid to late 40's is still in effect, but it sure seems that China is keeping a low profile.

We probably will be hearing from them soon, they may try and take Taiwan back.