N Korean mushroom cloud blast: invitation to UK diplomat

[oldhat]

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/09/14/1094927561833.html?oneclick=true

North Korea has invited a British diplomat to visit the site of an explosion that shot a huge mushroom cloud into the sky to verify claims that it was the planned demolition of a mountain for a hydroelectric project.

Experts from the United States and elsewhere say they don't believe Thursday's blast near the Chinese border was a nuclear test. But a Bush administration official said the United States has indications the North is trying to conduct one.

North Korea denounced the speculation over a nuclear test as part of a "preposterous smear campaign" aimed at diverting world attention away from revelations about past South Korean nuclear activities, Pyongyang's official KCNA news agency said.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a US official said it isn't clear what happened. While the official said there isn't any reason to believe it was a nuclear test, the official also couldn't confirm the North Koreans' explanation today that it was linked to construction of a hydroelectric project.

A UN official said the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation, which monitors nuclear activity, had not picked any signs that the explosion was a nuclear blast.

The North's official news agency KCNA said "blastings at construction sites of hydro-power stations in the north of Korea" had taken place.

North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun told the same to visiting British Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell.

[alittlelark]

1. Kim Jone Nuts is a Massive risk to world stability

So I guess * will avoid dealing with him and focus on Iraq (AND IRAN'S) Weeepons of Muuuss Destructyun..

[oldhat]

2. Iran has nukes, too

Iran and North Korea both have nukes.

Therefore we ignore them and sort of hope the problems go away on their own.

I'm curious to hear what this British spy, I mean, diplomatic team reports. Not that we'll hear anything about the giant nuclear bomb the N. Koreans just exploded.

[alittlelark]

3. uh, yeah.....

Give me a credible link.

[oldhat]

4. Credible link to what?

[alittlelark]

5. To Iran ( and N Korea) having usable nukes.

[oldhat]

6. Heh

You don't get out much, do you?

[alittlelark]

7. I do....but Iran sounds like SOOO much bluster

(they read the PNAC plans unlike most Americans). And N. Korea is an Enigma inside a Quandary. Real Facts about their capabilities would make me more comfortable.

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. But all outside experts agree it *wasn't* a nuclear bomb

because they've detected no radiation, nor the seismic noise of a nuclear explosion.

Bill Rammell is an elected politician, not a spy. I can't say what his assistants are, of course, but the North Koreans know exactly what they're allowing them to see.

While North Korea has claimed to possess a nuclear weapon, Iran has not, and all reports about it say it hasn't achieved one yet. What is your basis for saying it does have nukes?

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99996350

[chenGOD]

9. Thanks for some common sense....

It's been sorely lacking in this issue....

[hunter]

11. Could be an experiment...

...to find places where nuclear tests won't leave a distinctive seismic signature, also to gain experience containing large underground explosions.

Ah, mind games... The Bush Administration isn't very adept at those. They prefer the straightforward approach of the schoolyard bully.

[daleo]

10. I can't wait to hear what one of Tony Blair's employees says

After all, they are known for their probity in matters of WMD.