SOUNDING BOARD is an outlet for opinions on good and crazy things going on at home (wherever I may be). All are welcome. You are not expected to bring anything except your common sense & sense of humor.
'If the automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce would today cost $100, get one million miles to the gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside.'
-Robert X. Cringely (from geek wisdom)
SOUNDING BOARD
Tuesday, November 19, 2002
_____________________________________________
North Korea corrects confusing report
In an effort to correct the apprently confusing report that North Korea now "has come to have nuclear and other strong military weapons to deal with increased nuclear threats by the U.S. imperialists", Korean Central Broadcasting Station (KCBS) clarified what the statement really means: that North Korea believed it was 'entitled' to have nuclear arms. The exact revised statement reads: "To safeguard our sovereignty and right to exist we are entitled to have powerful military countermeasures, including nuclear weapons" (Reuters, 18 November 2002).
The only thing that this revision implies is that it is not clear as of the moment if indeed Pyongyang has the weapons. The intention is still there - an intention that presents a danger, especially to the region. Overthrowing Pyongyang diplomatically is still the most viable option in the medium- to long-term. Secretary of State Colin Powell, who is a major force behind the diplomatic strategy in dealing with Iraq, seems to be following this track. He said on Monday that US is still willing to help North Korea if it ends its nuclear weapons and other "destabilizing" programs (Presumably, this statement was made before the clarification of North Korean statement). To leave the apologetic kidnapper with limited choices, other stronger strings may have to be attached to the diplomatic solution to the Pyongyang problem. Otherwise, Pyongyang can be placed next on the list - after Iraq.
posted by Allan at 8:09 AM (GMT+8)
permalink (URL of this post) ::
