Outgoing U.S. Ambassador Warns on N. Korea

[True_Blue]

TOKYO - The outgoing U.S. ambassador to Japan warned Wednesday that North Korea is a "major problem" in assuring regional security in Asia, and said he believes Pyongyang's claims that it has successfully developed nuclear weapons.

North Korea flouted the international community last week by announcing it had nuclear weapons and was staying away from international nuclear talks where China, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States have urged it to abandon its atomic weapons development.

Howard Baker, who is scheduled to leave Japan on Thursday after nearly four years, said he was disappointed by the announcement, but added that he believes the six-party talks - the cornerstone of President Bush's policy with North Korea - are not yet dead.

"North Korea is a major problem and a dangerous problem, both to Japan and the region," he told a small group of reporters at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, but added: "I think there is a continuing chance that North Korea will come back to the table."

more....
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/breaking_news/10918704.htm

[cliss]

1. Meanwhile,

all eyes are riveted on the Middle East. As Bush turns up the incendiary flames of Armageddon, North Korea breaks the attention of the world, focused eastward.

....maybe we should focus a little further to the east. Perhaps to a little maniac named Kim Jong Il. As Washington turns its back on the real danger, Il feels slighted that he does not warrant as much attention.

I've read that this administration is incapable of focusing on two things at once, and the whole thing about N. Korea proves it.