North Korea's 'Slap In The Face' To Powell Rattles Asia

Independent (UK) ^ | 2-26-2003 | Jasper Becker

[blam]

North Korea's 'slap in the face' to Powell rattles Asia

By Jasper Becker in Beijing
26 February 2003

North Korea's test-firing of a missile into the Sea of Japan sent judders across Asia yesterday, causing stock markets to fall. The missile launch, which took place as Roh Moo Hyun, the South's President, took office in a ceremony attended by world leaders, seemed designed to embarrass Mr Roh, and was a slap in the face for the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, who was at the inauguration.

The new President has said he is determined to build "mutual trust" with the North and to persuade the United States to follow its lead.

General Powell tried to play down the significance of the missile test, saying it appeared to be "fairly innocuous".

On a stopover in Alaska last night, General Powell announced that, contrary to earlier indications, North Korea had chosen not to restart its nuclear reactor and reprocessing plant at Yongbyon. "I think that's a wise choice if it's a conscious choice," he said.

But, he added, bilateral talks, as proposed by the North, were not an option. "We simply will not, because North Korea demands something, yield to that something," General Powell said. "It is their actions that have caused this problem and they cannot be the 'demander' as to the manner in which it's going to be resolved."

The missile test came before General Powell announced the resumption of US food aid to the North. Deliveries stopped in October after the North admitted it had a secret programme to enrich uranium in violation of the 1994 agreement with Japan, South Korea and the US.

In his inaugural address, Mr Roh said the suspicion that the North was developing nuclear weapons posed "a grave threat to world peace". He said: "It is up to Pyongyang whether to go ahead and obtain nuclear weapons or to get guarantees for the security of its regime and international economic support."

Japan said the North had launched two land-to-ship missiles. One failed and the other flew 37 miles across the Sea of Japan. Japanese reports said the missile was made in China. However, China, which has promised the US to exercise its influence over its neighbour and to end missile technology sales, denied the allegation.

The missile tests, which follow an intrusion into South Korean airspace by a North Korean jet last week, are a reminder of how often the North has frustrated the hopes raised by the "Sunshine Policy" of engagement with the North.

Although North Korea has a long practice of staging military incidents to back demands for aid, the timing will hinder efforts to persuade the US to re-open direct talks with the North. Australia, China and South Korea in urging General Powell to agree to the North's demands for bilateral talks and a non-aggression treaty.

Washington says North Korea broke the terms of the last deal, negotiated bilaterally in 1994, and it now wants discussions only with all neighbouring countries taking part.

Mr Roh called for a shift in a relationship forged in the Cold War. Washington is now considering moves to lessen tensions including moving its large military base out of Seoul.

The missile test caused particular alarm in Japan, which is considering major changes to its military strategy to cope with the threat from the North. Japan was shocked when, in 1998, North Korea fired a three-stage missile that flew 600 miles over Japan.

Diplomats say North Korea fears that after the US has seen off Saddam Hussein, it will turn its attention to North Korea and try to overthrow the leader, Kim Jong Il. General Powell denied that the US had a policy of "regime change".

[blam]

Rattles Asia? Small potatoes.

[colorado tanker]

Mr Roh called for a shift in a relationship forged in the Cold War

Roh is a fool. He's like the minister in War of the Worlds who was sure if he approached the Martians with a Cross and said "I come in peace" they'd give him hugs and marshmallows. Instead, they incinerated him. The North Koreans are not normal earthlings.

[Jack Black]

Hurry up and get Iraq taken care of, then on to Korea. Then call the Vietnamese and tell them we want to reopen the peace talks where Kissinger left off, we'll need them to schedule free and fair elections in the next 100 days.

[blam]

"He's like the minister in War of the Worlds "

"...the odds of anything coming from Mars are a million to one.....and still they come." (Pre-Moody Blues - Moody Blues with Richard Burton Narrating.)

(And don't ask me who are the Moody Blues,lol)

[colorado tanker]

And don't ask me who are the Moody Blues,lol

Hey, I'm old enough to know!

[DeuceTraveler]

Mr Roh is an opportunist. He is playing nationalism and hoping everything comes out alright, then gets angry at the US for not behaving like he says we do (guns firing) and like a scared coward against the North for not behaving like the peaceful people they promise they are.

[Bob J]

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[TLBSHOW]

General Powell announced the resumption of US food aid to the North.

[Consort]

The North Koreans have learned well from the Democrats — they're piling it on Bush.

[Steel Wolf]

On a stopover in Alaska last night, General Powell announced that, contrary to earlier indications, North Korea had chosen not to restart its nuclear reactor and reprocessing plant at Yongbyon. "I think that's a wise choice if it's a conscious choice," he said.

First time for everything. They may very well be having technical problems. Making nuclear weapons ain't easy when you have a rusted out empty hulk of an infrastructure to support you. Trying to hold large military maneuvers is already straining them badly.

[glorgau]

All this smacks of desperation on the North Koreans part. A missile test is the best they can do? An 8 mile incursion with a MIG-19? MIG-19s are 1960s era airplanes.
I watched the South Korean presidential inauguration on CSPAN and it seemed mostly focused on business.
If the North Koreans have indeed failed to restart their reactor, it shows that all of the bluster over the past few months was just that - bluster.