N. Korea Requested to China 'Special Fuel For Military Use'

On many occasions since last year, N. Korea have asked China to provide special fuel for military use, according to a news dispatched from Beijing by Kyodo News on (July) 13th, quoting reliable military intelligence source on Sino-N.Korean affairs.

It speculated that the request for the fuel may have also come up at the meeting between Kim Il-chol, N. Korean Defense Minister and a member of N. Korean Defense Committee, and Zhao Gang-chuan, Chinese Defense Minister and a member of Chinese cabinet.

According to the source, the N. Korean request included "special fuel whose combustion efficiency won't degrade (even) at tens of degree below zero in Centigrade."

China determined that the N. Korean request was made to supply fuel not for winter military training, but for testing fuel of long-range ballistic missiles and nuclear development. As a result, China has been warily declining such requests.

Xinhua News reported on (July) 13th that N. Korean Defense Minister Kim Il-chol, heading a N. Korean military delegation, had a meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Zhao Gang-chuan on (July) 12th, discussing on expanding military cooperation and exchange between two countries.

"I say let the Chinese fund these incompetents. At some point, the Chinese will realize they need us and South Korea more than North Korea."

China's not stupid - they're keeping the North Koreans afloat because they're a handy distraction to the US. They act as somewhat of a balance to keep US military forces looking elsewhere. Any southeast asian resources we have tied up in North Korea are resources not being used against Chinese interests. They'd gladly keep the North Koreans on life support indefinitely.

"Interesting thought, provided that Jung-Il doesn't start a nuclear war in their backyard."

Or worse - start lobbing TPD-IIs with nuclear warheads at Beijing. Trust me when I say they know they've got themselves a junkyard dog in North Korea, and that they walk a fine line in keeping it alive but underfed.

"Wouldn't it be much easier to just establish better relations with the US?"

If you're trying to steer your people toward capitalism and independence from the Communist leadership? Sure. Defying America and appearing strong in doing so strengthens the Chinese government's hand when dealing with its own people who desire change. So long as the Chinese communists can stand up to the mighty Americans, they're beyond worry of an uprising among the people. To go the American way would be to appear weak in the eyes of the world and in the eyes of the people. The name of the game in a non-working political system like Communism is to keep yourself in power. You do that via popular perception. If you can make your people perceive you as impossibly powerful, then they'll see rebellion as futile, which keeps you in power. The moment you begin to show weakness, your people start looking toward more prosperous people and look to replace you with leaders more like those leading the more prosperous people.

Denying that option to the people by perception of power is how the Soviet communists, Chinese communists, North Korean government, Saddam government, etc etc continued indefinite reigns over their people sans rebellion. When the Soviets' leadership fell before US power under Reagan's administration, the entire Soviet government collapsed from within. When Saddam had his rear end kicked all over the Middle East by the first President Bush and the coalition forces, his own people began to rise against him - especially the Kurds in the north. We were looking awefully darn weak following Vietnam, yet our government didn't fall. Amazing what a difference this type of government makes.

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