NORTH KOREA: Nuke test plan is not a bluff, says report

Pro-North Korea paper demands that the United States take nuclear testing seriously

Times of India
Friday, October 6, 2006

Seoul --- North Korea's declared plan to undertake a nuclear test is not a bluff, but there is still room for negotiation, a pro-North Korea paper in Japan reported from Pyongyang.

"The nuclear test statement was not empty language, but announced on the premise of action," the Choson Sinbo said.

"Carrying out a nuclear test is an inevitable conclusion ... under a condition where (the country) declared possession of nuclear weapons in February last year."

North Korea announced on Tuesday it would conduct a nuclear test to prove the country is a nuclear power. Pyongyang claims it has nuclear weapons and needs them to deter a US attack, but hasn't performed any known test to verify that.

The paper, run by an association of North Korean residents in Japan, is not part of North Korea's official media, but is considered one of the country's propaganda tools and its articles are believed to reflect the country's position.

The paper warned that if the US isn't taking the test plan seriously, it would be misunderstanding the North.

But it also indicated there is still room for negotiations, saying, "The current crisis can be overcome if the US begins to take action toward denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula with the same goal" as North Korea.

The paper didn't specify whether a breakthrough in negotiations would forestall a nuclear test, but said the North was still pursuing an eventual denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea has also said its "ultimate goal" is to settle "the hostile relations" with the US, maintaining that US is plotting to invade the country.

Date Posted: 10/6/2006