InfoAnda - N.Korea says plutonium "weaponised" and off-limits

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Saudi hails 'perfect' oil price, stable market | 6 December 2009
BRIEF-Moody's raises Air New Zealand's rating to Baa3 | 1 October 2010
Karzai relents to UN demand over elections watchdog | 14 March 2010

Scores arrested in Bulgarian Roma protests | | 28 September 2011

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : N.Korea says plutonium "weaponised" and off-limits

Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Search Search: N.Korea says plutonium "weaponised" and off-limits Reuters - Sunday, January 18 By Chris Buckley BEIJING - North Korea says it has "weaponised" enough plutonium for four to five nuclear weapons, a U.S. expert said on Saturday after talks in Pyongyang. North Korea has made a series of demands as well as offers of cooperation over its nuclear programme as U.S. President-elect Barack Obama prepares to enter the White House. The North's leader Kim Jong-il appears to have given up handling many day-to-day tasks after suffering a stroke and this may explain the North's hardening stance, Selig Harrison, a scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars, a policy institute in Washington D.C., said. Harrison said senior North Korean officials had told him this week that 30.8 kg of plutonium their government had listed as part of a preliminary disarmament agreement had been "weaponised" -- incorporated into warheards or other arms. He said all the four senior Pyongyang officials he met, including Li Gun, the Foreign Ministry official in charge of dealings with Washington, said plutonium was now out of bounds of inspections intended to advance the now-stalled six-party disarmament talks. "All of those I met said that North Korea has already weaponised the 30.8 kg of plutonium listed in its formal declaration and that the weapons cannot be inspected," Harrison told a news conference in the Chinese capital after returning from five days in Pyongyang, his eleventh visit to the isolated North since 1972. "That means North Korea has four or five nuclear weapons, depending on the grade of plutonium, the specific weapons design and desired explosive yield." The North Korean claims could not be verified, Harrison said, but they underscored a hardening of the state's position even as it made offers of cooperation to Obama. The Pyongyang officials were vague about what weaponisation meant, but it appeared most likely the plutonium would be fitted in missile warheads, Harrison said. North Korea has delayed implementing a nuclear disarmament agreement struck at the six-party talks in Beijing, unwilling to accept verification rules demanded by the other countries in the talks and saying they have not abided by their energy aid vows. "The prospects for the six-party talks, on the basis of my assessment, are very gloomy," said Harrison. The talks bring together North and South Korea, China, the United States, Japan and Russia. They intensified after the North held its first nuclear test explosion in October 2006. "INTIMATE FRIENDS" "My view is that change in the leadership situation has strengthened the hardliners in the National Defence Commission, who are now in control of the nuclear disarmament negotiations more directly," Harrison said. But he said he was told North Korea wanted friendly relations with the United States. He cited North Korea's Foreign Minister Pak Ui-son as saying: "If the Obama administration takes its first steps correctly and makes a political decision to change its DPRK policy, the DPRK and the United States can become intimate friends." North Korea is formally called the Democratic People's Republic of Korea . Harrison said North Korea wanted construction of two unfinished light-water nuclear energy reactors in return for dismantling its Yongbyon nuclear plant. It also says verification of its nuclear activities hinges on the United States and South Korea agreeing to open any nuclear weapons activities in the South to similar probing. Harrison said the North's Li Gun told him: "We are not in a position to say when we will abandon nuclear weapons. That depends on when we believe there is no U.S. nuclear threat." Besides Li and Pak, the officials he met were Vice President of the Supreme People's Assembly Kim Yong-tae, spokesman of the National Defence Commission Ri Chan-bok. North Korea's state media also said earlier on Saturday Pyongyang would not give up its nuclear ambitions as long as a U.S. nuclear threat persisted. North Korea's army said on Saturday it would assume an "all-out confrontational posture" against the South and wipe out the conservative government in Seoul for refusing to cooperate. U.S. President George W. Bush's top Asia adviser had predicted earlier this week that North Korea might try to raise the stakes in order to increase its leverage after Obama takes office on Tuesday. Last-ditch efforts by the Bush administration to win North Korea's agreement on a system to verify its nuclear history and disarmament progress ended in stalemate at the end of 2008. Harrison said some of North Korea's demands may be bluster but it would be much harder for Pyongyang to step back from the claim that its plutonium is now housed in weapons. "So they've raised the bar and said 'We are a nuclear weapons state now. Deal with us on that basis'," Harrison said. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (0 votes) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Asia Pacific Afghan foreign minister unhappy with ClintonAP - 30 minutes ago Pakistan: 10 days for Mumbai attack investigationAP - 54 minutes ago Nokia's music service set for Australia, SingaporeReuters - 1 hour 6 minutes ago NKorea warns of retaliation against Seoul's policyAP - 1 hour 36 minutes ago Stars from "The Little Nyonya" gather for big reunionChannel NewsAsia - 1 hour 57 minutes ago Most Popular – Asia Pacific Viewed Hormone drives sexy women to infidelity, says study 'Dogs don't wear condoms,' says Baywatch star Anderson Zimbabwe unveils $100 trillion banknote Michelle Obama's ball gown has fashionistas abuzz Boy George jailed for 15 months for imprisoning escort View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular

Other News on Saturday, 17 January 2009
Momentum builds for a self-ruled southern Iraq
Gunmen kill election candidate in Iraq
Pentagon sending Navy Seabees to Afghanistan | International |
Financial crisis ate your job? Try MySpace
Gaza ceasefire efforts gather pace
Tom Hanks Has Harsh Words For Mormon Church's Involvement In Prop 8
Iran's Ahmadinejad says Obama regime 'hostile' to Gazans
'Dogs don't wear condoms,' says Baywatch star Anderson
Renowned "Painter Of The People" Artist Andrew Wyeth Dies At Age 91
Piracy jumps on wave of attacks off Somalia | International |
US consumer prices drop 0.7% in December
Argentine ranchers cry help as drought kills cattle | International |
Oprah's Secret Cocaine Addiction Past Revealed By Dying Ex-Boyfriend
Boy George Sentenced To 15 Years In Prison For False Imprisonment
Steve Jobs's cancer may have recurred: doctors | Technology |
AMD to cut 1,100 jobs | Technology |
EU accuses Microsoft of curbing Web browser rivalry | Technology |
Obama's half brother performs in China
Obama warns about economy, even with stimulus
Financial crisis ate your job? Try MySpace | Technology |
China FM urges withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza
Israel, US sign anti-Gaza arms smuggling deal
Global digital music sales up 25 percent | Technology |
Gazprom Neft chief says could cut capex by 45 pct
Gaza war fuels anti-Israeli anger in Indonesia
Pentagon sending Navy "Seabees" to Afghanistan
China makes arrests in Internet porn campaign | Technology |
Miliband says Pakistan needs to go further on Mumbai
Rice, Livni sign anti-arms smuggling deal for Gaza
Sprint pitches $2 billion emergency network to Obama | Technology |
'Go Team' investigators probe miracle air crash
Tom Hanks Blasts Mormon Church For Opposing Same-Sex Marriage In California
Pilot Praised For His "Masterful," Rare Water Landing
Good Bye, Circuit City
Circuit City Announces It Will Liquidate
Massive Cold Front Blankets Much Of U.S. With Chilly Temperatures
Pakistan's July/Dec c/a deficit narrows to $6.053 bln
US business lobby expects SKorea deal to go through
US nuclear business delegation visits India
Switzerland, Japan to clinch trade pact next month
Slamdance festival marks 15th year beside Sundance | Entertainment |
Artist Andrew Wyeth dies at age 91 | Entertainment |
Foundation cancels 2010 poetry festival
Anne Hathaway gets starstruck over `Slumdog' star
Christian refuses to drive "No God" bus
Artist Andrew Wyeth dies at age 91
As lightning deaths soar, Cambodians look to superstition
Nude photo of 20-year-old Madonna on auction block
`Friday Night Lights' has new hope for survival
US-TECH Summary
Facebook Drops Burger King 'Whopper Sacrifice' Campaign
Israel to vote on truce plan proposed by Egypt
Turkish leaders urge greater UN role in Gaza conflict: report
Venezuela to vote February 15 on Chavez term limits | International |
Putin lashes out at EU ahead of Moscow gas summit
Israel poised to call unilateral halt to Gaza offensive: source
Advanced Micro Devices to cut 1,100 jobs and reduce salaries
Congo villagers take up arms against LRA rebels | International |
Dump-friends-for-Whoppers application irks Facebook
UN says Gaza hospitals in crisis
U.S. Treasury targets bin Laden's son | International |
Iraqi guards said to throw party for shoe-thrower
Refugee stream from Sri Lanka's war zone picks up | International |
Global digital music sales up 25 percent
EU accuses Microsoft of harming browser competition
Sprint pitches $2 billion emergency network to Obama
AMD to cut 1,100 jobs
Bush go-ahead to Peru trade deal sparks criticism
Brazil's Silva expects Chavez-Obama talks
Pentagon: Seabees shifting from Iraq to Afghan war
Washington Preparing 42,500-Strong Security Force For Obama's Inauguration
Wall Street Ends Higher Despite Concerns In Banking Sector
Osama Bin Laden May Be Suffering From Illness, New Tape Suggests
China: Melamine victim's parents accept $29,000
Toyota suspends domestic production: report
Christie Brinkley's Got Milk, has hope for Obama | Entertainment |
ABC feeling economic, digital pressures | Entertainment |
Motley Crue's Lee revives Mayhem | Entertainment |
Booker T. rocks with Truckers, Neil Young | Entertainment |
Conficker Worm Spreads To 3.5 Million Computers
Sundance goes green as environment takes spotlight
Beyonce to serenade Obamas with 'At Last'
Bruce Springsteen's new disc gets NPR Web debut
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Christie Brinkley's "Got Milk," has hope for Obama
Booker T. rocks with Truckers, Neil Young
Demi Lovato hopes Obama can end Iraq war
Motley Crue's Lee revives Mayhem
Kimbell Art Museum names new director
Nick Jonas on Sasha and Malia: 'Very sweet girls'
Huge blast rocks Afghan capital
Israel may halt Gaza war | International |
Israel poised to call unilateral halt to Gaza onslaught
British PM urges banks to come clean over bad assets
Obama refuses to surrender Blackberry
Suicide bomb kills 3 Afghan civilians in capital | International |
Russia, EU, Ukraine set for gas talks
All aboard, as Obama takes slow train to power
N.Korea: Not dropping nuclear plan on U.S. threat | International |
Mobile carriers answer call for new services
Bin Laden son Saad left Iran, now in Pakistan: U.S. | International |
Albanian town bids sorrowful farewell to Bush | International |
Cuba's Fidel Castro working and writing: Chavez | International |
Chavez brushes off rumors of Fidel's bad health
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,227
Mentor urges Taiwan's Ma to ensure trial fairness
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 567
Afghan child killed, 21 wounded in Kabul blast
Microsoft CEO and Yahoo Chairman have met: reports | Technology |
EU accuses Microsoft of harming browser competition | Technology |
Report: Tamil rebels kill 51 Sri Lankan soldiers
Japan marks 14th anniversary of deadly Kobe quake
Mobile carriers answer call for new services | Technology |
China lawyers to sue Christie's over Yves Saint Laurent auction: report
11 wounded at German Embassy bombing in Kabul
NKorea: Priority to build up nuclear deterrent
Investigators To Remove Plane From Hudson River, Recover Missing Engines
Singapore government to tighten laws against protests: deputy PM
Authorities Bare Names Of 5 Fatalities In Homeless Shelter Blaze
Kidnap forces ICRC to halt operations in southern Philippines: report
Israel, U.S. Sign Deal To Curb Arms Smuggling In Gaza
Bomb attack targets German Embassy in Kabul
Worm Infects 3.5 Million PCs Running On Windows
Pakistani cenbank sells 20 bln rupees of T-bills
Toyota to halve domestic production for three months: reports
Air China warns it faces loss due to fuel hedging
Patrick Swayze released from hospital | Entertainment |
Sundance opens with hope for indie film | Entertainment |
Piven hit with grievance for leaving Broadway: NYT | Entertainment |
Beatles films inspire new Jonas Brothers TV show | Entertainment |
U.S. company has plans for Ingmar Bergman catalog | Entertainment |
Piven hit with grievance for leaving Broadway: NYT
Patrick Swayze released from hospital
Piven hit with grievance for leaving Broadway: NYT
Swayze checks out of hospital, publicist says
'Plow' producers file grievance against Piven
Patrick Swayze released from hospital
Prosecution: Polanski has no right to hearing
U.S. company has plans for Ingmar Bergman catalog
Beatles films inspire new Jonas Brothers TV show
Kabul blast kills two Afghans, wounds US, Germans
Russia, Ukraine seek to resolve gas row | International |
McLaren and Hamilton mine new energy reserves
N.Korea has weaponised plutonium stocks: U.S. expert | International |
Putin says likes Obama, but urges caution | International |
Suicide bomb kills 4 civilians in Afghan capital | International |
Sri Lanka rebels say kill 51 troops; army says lost 7 | International |
Philippine troops scour island for Red Cross captives | International |
U.S. says not closing its military base in Kyrgyzstan | International |
Putin warns of 'big expectations' of Obama
Major troop decisions for Afghan war await Obama
All aboard, as Obama takes slow train to power
Thailand agrees to repatriate 5,000 Hmong refugees to Laos
PM admits rights abuses do occur
Kyrgyzstan to close US airbase 'in a matter of days'
Bomb kills 2 Afghans, wounds 6 US troops in Kabul
No Chinese response to memo on Tibet's autonomy
Philippine troops scour island for Red Cross captives
BCA plans to train 9,000 people to meet industry demand
Malaysia's bellwether by-election 'neck-and-neck'
Minister George Yeo to make 3—day official visit to France
MPs continue normal routine of activities despite last week’s attack
NKorea warns of retaliation against Seoul's policy
Report: Toyota to halve Japan vehicle output
Taiwan to let banks put forex deposits in c. bank
Philippines to charge firms blacklisted by WB if graft proven:govt
Iranian cleric calls for shooting Israeli FM
German banks face billions more in losses
Nokia's music service set for Australia, Singapore
Vatican to get own YouTube channel
Malaysia's Islamists win key by-election | International |
Nokia's music service set for Australia, Singapore
Iran court convicts 4 over alleged US-backed plot
Afghan foreign minister unhappy with Clinton
Pakistan: 10 days for Mumbai attack investigation
Nokia's music service set for Australia, Singapore
Vatican to get own YouTube channel | Technology |
NKorea warns of retaliation against Seoul's policy
Stars from "The Little Nyonya" gather for big reunion
Nokia's music service set for Australia, Singapore | Technology |
Malaysia's Islamists win key by-election
Rampaging wild elephants kill 3 in northeast India
MAS announcement brings relief to some, raises more issues for others
Three-Year-Old Texas Girl Mauled To Death By Rottweiler
Obama, Biden Embark On Whistle Stop Train Tour To DC
PM admits rights abuses do occur
South Carolina 6-Year-Old Girl Accidentally Shot, Killed By Uncle
N.Korea says plutonium "weaponised" and off-limits
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01