MSNBC - N. Korea acknowledges it has nuclear arms

estranged4life · #1 02-10-2005, 02:58 AM

The Associated Press
Updated: 1:58 a.m. ET Feb. 10, 2005

SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea publicly admitted Thursday for the first time that it has nuclear weapons, and said it wouldn't return to six-nation talks aimed at getting it to abandon its nuclear ambitions

Diplomats have said that North Korea has acknowledged having nuclear arms in private talks, but this is the first time the communist government has said so directly to the public.

"We had already taken the resolute action of pulling out of the (Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty) and have manufactured nukes for self-defense to cope with the Bush administration's ever-more undisguised policy to isolate and stifle the DPRK," the North Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

DPRK refers to the country's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

North Korea's "nuclear weapons will remain (a) nuclear deterrent for self-defense under any circumstances," the ministry said. 'The present reality proves that only powerful strength can protect justice and truth."

Since 2003, the United States, the two Koreas, China, Japan and Russia have held three rounds of talks in Beijing aimed at persuading the North to abandon nuclear weapons development in return for economic and diplomatic rewards. But no significant progress has been made.

A fourth round scheduled for September was canceled when North Korea refused to attend, citing what it called a "hostile" U.S. policy.

Thursday's statement came after President Bush started his second term last month by refraining from direct criticism of North Korea, raising hopes that the North would return to the stalled nuclear talks. But North Korea said it had little hope for improved ties during Bush's second term office.

"We have wanted the six-party talks but we are compelled to suspend our participation in the talks for an indefinite period till we have recognized that there is justification for us to attend the talks," the North said Thursday.

North Korea said it came to its decision because "the U.S. disclosed its attempt to topple the political system in the DPRK at any cost, threatening it with a nuclear stick."

Still, North Korea said it retained its "principled stand to solve the issue through dialogue and negotiations and its ultimate goal to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula remain unchanged."

This is a developing story and details will be added as they become available.

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Well Duh!!! I think a "deaf dumb blind kid who's the pinball king" (aka "Tommy") could've told anyone that North Korea has nukes...

greatdarkwing · #2 02-10-2005, 03:02 AM

God help us all

estranged4life · #3 02-10-2005, 03:20 AM

how long before President Elmer goes hunting for WMD's in North Korea...

"Be verwy verwy quiet...I'm hunting for WMD's in North Korwea....Uhuhuhuhuhuhuhuh"

saraforscarlett · #4 02-10-2005, 06:04 AM

I think that may be one of the reasons why the US in fact doesn't invade North Korea even though it's one of the axis' of evil, but have invaded Iraq and have plans to invade Iran. Because NK do have nuclear weapons, but Iraq and Iran don't.

tynan88 · #5 02-10-2005, 06:11 AM

-An unstable leader
-Most amount of nuclear weapons in world
-Single most hated country in the world
-Country seen by most of the world as a threat to peace and stability
-The only country to ever use a nuclear device in combat
-A clear ability to use nuclear devices.

Well, well, I should say that that threat to peace should be deposed, but ey we don't wanna go after someone that actually get us back!

ShangriLaTroubl · #6 02-10-2005, 10:19 AM

I think it's pretty hilarious that we go to war with Iraq/Saddam because we THINK they MIGHT have WMD....and yet N. Korea says YEAH WE DO HAVE THEM--and we do nothing

It shows you right there, as if everyone didnt already know, that the administration doesnt care about peace--they went to Iraq because they thought it would be an easy battle...

Chris

cliffdweller · #7 02-10-2005, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lux

Apparently the US has nuclear arms, a history of using these arms, has many in place as sitting threats against nations and has made clear verbal threats of use against nations.

God help them, and then us in effect.

Bingo.

gldstwmn · #8 02-10-2005, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saraforscarlett

I think that may be one of the reasons why the US in fact doesn't invade North Korea even though it's one of the axis' of evil, but have invaded Iraq and have plans to invade Iran. Because NK do have nuclear weapons, but Iraq and Iran don't.

As Strand has said in the past, any threat of NK using it's nukes would be quickly extinguished by China.

gldstwmn · #9 02-10-2005, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lux

Perhaps the rest of us should band with North Korea and dispose of the Bush lead fascist regime that controls much of the world and threatens to seize control further. Seems just as (il)logical as banding with Bush.

I'll refrain from further reply, as I don't want the Treasury Department on Homeland Security knocking on my front door.

Serrart · #10 02-10-2005, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

As Strand has said in the past, any threat of NK using it's nukes would be quickly extinguished by China.

Far Eastern is under China's heavy umbrella. Bush can't touch it.

Romy

Janet · #11 02-10-2005, 05:53 PM

That makes me just want to build a bomb shelter and hide. That's the **** nightmares are made of for real.

SuzeQuze · #12 02-10-2005, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShangriLaTroubl

I think it's pretty hilarious that we go to war with Iraq/Saddam because we THINK they MIGHT have WMD....and yet N. Korea says YEAH WE DO HAVE THEM--and we do nothing

It shows you right there, as if everyone didnt already know, that the administration doesnt care about peace--they went to Iraq because they thought it would be an easy battle...

Chris

Excellent point. A "theater war" as per the Project for a New American Century. http://groups.msn.com/RushversusReality/pnac.msnw

77Rumours77 · #13 02-10-2005, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janet

That makes me just want to build a bomb shelter and hide. That's the **** nightmares are made of for real.

No ****ing kidding! I don't want to die in a nuclear war, That **** frightens me.
I also heard that Wichita back in the 60's or 70's was on a top 10 nuclear target from Russia. God I hope we arn't anymore!

macfanken · #14 02-10-2005, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tynan88

-An unstable leader
-Most amount of nuclear weapons in world
-Single most hated country in the world
-Country seen by most of the world as a threat to peace and stability
-The only country to ever use a nuclear device in combat
-A clear ability to use nuclear devices.

Well, well, I should say that that threat to peace should be deposed, but ey we don't wanna go after someone that actually get us back!

Yes, please! Help us!! We tried in November and failed.

estranged4life · #15 02-10-2005, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77Rumours77

No ****ing kidding! I don't want to die in a nuclear war, That **** frightens me.
I also heard that Wichita back in the 60's or 70's was on a top 10 nuclear target from Russia. God I hope we arn't anymore!

Wichita is still somewhat of a target, But ya could always be in my situation:

90 miles to the NE is Tinker AFB
40 miles to the South is Ft.Sill Army base
65 miles to the SW is Altus AFB
110 miles to the North is Vance AFB

And just for the hell of it in McAlester is the US Army ammunition depot (Responsible for manufacturing nearly all of the weapons that the military uses in War.)

So I can pretty much guarantee to see/hear several mushroom clouds before dying