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*North Korean Studies*The Associated Press reported that Russia's Foreign Ministry strongly urged the US on Thursday against using force to solve a dispute over the DPRK's nuclear program and reaffirmed its call for a direct dialogue between the US and the DPRK. "Russia has noted with concern the statements that have been issued recently by official American representatives that the US doesn't exclude military means of solving the so-called North Korean nuclear problem," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement released to the media. Russia believes that "there is no alternative to the peaceful settlement of problems on the Korean Peninsula through negotiations," the Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday. "We are urging both Washington and Pyongyang to show wisdom and restraint, steer clear of actions and statements that exacerbate the situation and take real steps to defuse tensions."
Maurice Strong, a special adviser on North Korea to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, met with deputy foreign ministers Alexander Losyukov and Yuri Fedotov during a visit to Moscow on Wednesday and Thursday, the ministry said in a separate statement. "The need for the international community to take a balanced line, aimed at de-escalating the tension using peaceful, political-diplomatic means was noted" at the meetings, the ministry said. Russia's proposed "package agreement," which calls for the DPRK to observe international nuclear agreements in exchange for security guarantees and economic aid, "could become a realistic alternative to the escalation of the situation around North Korea, first of all through the establishment of direct dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang," the ministry said. ("RUSSIA WARNS US AGAINST ATTACKING NORTH KOREA," Moscow, 03/06/03)
Ким Чен Ир грозит Америке ядерной войной
Максим ЮСИН, Izvestiya, 6 March 2003 (in Russian)
В распоряжении "Известий" оказались уникальные документы, свидетельствующие: о ядерной войне северокорейские вожди всерьез рассуждали уже в середине 80-х годов, когда никто в мире еще не говорил вслух о том, что "страна чучхе" обладает атомным оружием и баллистическими ракетами.
Мы публикуем отрывок из дневника, который вел высокопоставленный советский дипломат. Это рассказ о визите в Пхеньян в январе 1986 года делегации во главе с министром иностранных дел СССР Эдуардом Шеварднадзе. Автор - Теймураз Степанов, помощник и спичрайтер Шеварднадзе, а кроме того - блестящий журналист и публицист, много лет проработавший в "Известиях". Степанов был "правой рукой" главы МИД и присутствовал на всех, даже самых конфиденциальных переговорах. В том числе с "великим вождем" Ким Ир Сеном и "любимым руководителем" Ким Чен Иром, который сейчас возглавляет страну. Именно в ходе той поездки глава советского МИД услышал в Пхеньяне зловещие слова: "Если на
Корейском полуострове вспыхнет война, она разовьется в мировую".
В официальный отчет о поездке эта фраза, естественно, не попала. Дневники Теймураза Степанова, которые совсем недавно расшифровал его сын Георгий - обозреватель нашей газеты, еще нигде не публиковались...
China Daily reported that PRC and Russia have reaffirmed their pledge to seek political solutions to the DPRK nuclear issue. It reported that the visiting Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov met Chinese President Jiang Zemin, Vice-President Hu Jintao and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan in Beijing on February 27. A joint press communique released the same day says an equal and constructive dialogue between the US and the DPRK will be of great significance to the normalization of relations between the two sides. Both sides are ready to actively push for a political solution to the DPRK nuclear issue "in the bilateral and multilateral arenas" so that peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region can be maintained, according to the communique. (Hu Qihua, "HOPES FOR PEACE STILL EXIST," 02/28/03, P1)
Александр Воронцов, Независимая Газета # 33 (2866) 19 февраля 2003 г.
...В Северной Корее бросаются в глаза некоторые новые приметы общественно-политической ситуации. Меня, например, удивило то, что теперь местные сопровождающие уже не настаивают на первоначальном и в прошлом обязательном посещении Мангенде - дома, где родился отец-основатель КНДР Ким Ир Сен. Ограничились экскурсией к главному памятнику вождю на холме Мансуде в Пхеньяне. Народ везде интересовался информацией и нашим мнением о ситуации на юге Корейского полуострова, отношением в мире к нынешнему противостоянию КНДР с США и т.д.
Так, экскурсовод в Музее дружбы народов в Мехянсане забросала меня вопросами о том, как россияне оценивают расклад внутриполитических сил в Южной Корее. В Пханмунджоме, деревне, расположенной на демаркационной линии между двумя Кореями, сопровождавший нас офицер активно комментировал очередной раунд американо-северокорейских переговоров и прошлогоднее предложение руководства КНДР заключить договор о ненападении с США. Такая любознательность сама по себе необычна для Северной Кореи... (in Russian)
Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- Vladimir Tolstikov, chairman of the Russian Association for Friendship and Cultural Cooperation with the DPRK, was interviewed by the Voice of Russia on Feb. 11. He said that the meetings and talks between Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and DPRK General Secretary Kim Jong Il and the adoption of the Russia-DPRK Moscow declaration opened a prospect of new work before the association.
Reviewing the work done by the association last year, he referred to its action program for this year to boost the friendship and cooperation between the two countries and peoples. He underscored the need to significantly mark Feb. 16 and other auspicious holidays of the Korean people and the 10th anniversary of the association. He vehemently denounced the U.S. hostile policy towards the DPRK and wished the Korean people bigger success in their efforts to achieve the peaceful and democratic reunification of the country without foreign forces' interference.
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a congratulatory message from Russian President V.V. Putin on Feb. 16, on his birthday. Extending heartfelt congratulations to Kim Jong Il on his birthday, the message said: The positive activities conducted by you, the leader of the DPRK, to boost the good-neighborly relations between Russia and the DPRK and the new measures taken by you to settle the basic issues related to the peaceful cooperation between the north and the south of Korea and develop the economy are commanding understanding and respect in Russia. I wish you good health for the wellbeing of your country, for the lasting peace and cooperation on the Korean Peninsula and the further development of the bilateral relations and success in your activities as chairman of the national defence commission. It is my hope that the gifts I present to you with my sincerity will help remind you of our meeting and friendship and true feelings of respect.
People's Daily reported that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov said in an interview with Russian newspaper Izvestia that Moscow will support a UN Security Council's resolution on the nuclear crisis in the DPRK, should a direct dialogue shape up between Pyongyang and Washington. "The Russian delegation abstained from voting on the draft resolution passed by the IAEA yesterday to denounce The DPRK. We believe that if the issue is moved to the United Nations, this will not contribute to inducing a constructive and trustful dialogue between the two sides," said the official in the report. ("RUSSIA TO BACK UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON DPRK ISSUE," Moscow, 02/15/03, P3)
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a congratulatory message and gifts from Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian Federation. A ceremony of conveying the message and gifts took place at the Russian embassy here on Feb. 12. Kim Jong Il was present there. The Russian Ambassador read out the congratulatory message and conveyed three gift horses to Kim Jong Il, upon the authorization of Putin.
Then Kh. A. Amerkhanov, vice department director of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia, who is chief escort for the gifts, explained them to Kim Jong Il. Kim Jong Il extended deep thanks to Putin for sending the kind message and the gifts associated with his sincerity and asked the Russian official to convey his cordial regards to the president before seeing the gift horses. At the end of the ceremony Kim Jong Il had a picture taken with the embassy officials and those who escorted the gift horses.
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il attended a reception given by Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Andrei Gennadievich Karlov on Feb. 12 at his invitation. Kim Jong Il was greeted by the ambassador and other diplomats of the embassy. He expressed thanks for the invitation and had a conversation with them in a cordial atmosphere overflowing with friendship.
Present at the reception were chief of the general staff of the Korean People's Army Kim Yong Chun, secretaries of the WPK Central Committee Kim Kuk Thae, Kim Yong Sun and Kim Ki Nam, first Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Sok Ju, KPA generals Ri Myong Su, Hyon Chol Hae and Pak Jae Gyong and first vice department director of the WPK Central Committee Jang Song Thaek. The Russian Ambassador to the DPRK and other diplomats of the Russian embassy and those who escorted gift horses. The reception proceeded in an amicable atmosphere. A specially prepared conspicuous art performance was given by lovely children and staff members of the embassy at the reception. The performance was acclaimed by the audience.
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Andrei Karlov gave a reception at the embassy Monday on the occasion of the 3rd anniversary of the signing of the treaty of friendship, good neighborliness and cooperation between the Russian Federation and the DPRK. Present on invitation were Vice-Foreign Minister Kung Sok Ung, chairwoman of the Korea-Russia Friendship Association Hong Son Ok who is vice-chairwoman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade Kim Yong Jae and other officials concerned. Present there were staff members of the Russian embassy. Speeches were made there.
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- A Pyongyang city delegation led by Ryang Man Gil, chairman of the Pyongyang City People's Committee, left for Russia today. The delegation was seen off at the airport by Jon Ho Hyon, vice-chairman of the committee, and Russian Ambassador here Andrei Karlov.
Pyongyang, February 3 (KCNA) -- A preparatory committee of Russian public circles was inaugurated on Jan. 27 to celebrate the birthday of Kim Jong Il. Vladimir Tolstikov, chairman of the Russian Association for Friendship and Cultural Cooperation with the DPRK and chairman of the Eastern European Center for the Support and Solidarity to the DPRK, was elected chairman of the preparatory committee and Vitaly Popov, first vice-chairman of the association, its vice-chairman. The committee made public an inaugural statement.
The statement said that the Russian Association for Friendship and Cultural Cooperation with the DPRK, the Russian Association for Solidarity and Cooperation among Afro-Asian Peoples, the Peace Fund's International Association, the pilots group of the Union of Soviet Heroes and Heroines and other social organizations of Russia extend solidarity to the heroic Korean people in their devoted efforts for socialist construction and national reunification and express heartfelt respect to Kim Jong Il, the great leader of the Korean people. The preparatory committee will hold colourful functions, including celebration meeting, film show and photo exhibition, on the occasion of his birthday, it noted.
The Associated Press reported that the Russian Foreign Ministry warned Tuesday that it would be counterproductive to refer the nuclear standoff with the DPRK to the United Nations Security Council. "As before, we still believe that the possibility for diplomatic dialogue between the interested sides is not exhausted," Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said, according to the Interfax news agency. "In this connection, submitting the question about North Korea to the U.N. Security Council now would be counterproductive." The US wants to bring the issue before the U.N. Security Council, which could impose sanctions against Pyongyang. The 35-nation board of governors of the U.N. International Atomic Energy is due to meet February 12 in Vienna to discuss the standoff, a meeting that could refer the dispute to the Security Council. ("RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY WARNS IT WOULD BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO REFER THE NORTH KOREA STANDOFF TO THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL," Moscow, 02/04/03)
The Associated Press reported that a top Russian diplomat who returned from Pyongyang this week said Friday that the US and the DPRK could be ready for talks over the nuclear crisis "within the near future ... maybe in the next few days." Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov told reporters in Moscow that he believed diplomatic efforts to solve the DPRK nuclear crisis had not been exhausted and that it would be premature for the US to bring the issue before the U.N. Security Council. He supported the DPRK's objection to attempts to internationalize the crisis. "Pyongyang believes in the first place that representatives of North Korea and the US must talk," Losyukov said. Russia will continue to work as an intermediary, the diplomat said, adding that he was optimistic that through a series of small steps, tensions could be reduced and a solution found. ("RUSSIAN ENVOY THINKS US, NORTH KOREA COULD HOLD DIRECT TALKS WITHIN DAYS," Moscow, 01/24/03)
Владимир Воронов (in Russian)
Плутоний вместо электричества
Впервые общественность забила тревогу в начале 1990-х, но больше всего масла в огонь подлили в 1994-м утверждения бежавшего из КНДР ядерщика Ким Дай Хо: Северная Корея еще в 1988 году обладала 12 килограммами плутония. Но шумиха затихла: перебежчику не поверили, что нищая и голодная страна смогла развить столь современную и высокотехнологичную отрасль.
А 31 августа 1998-го новый шок: КНДР произвела запуск двух- или трехступенчатой баллистической ракеты «Таэлотонг», которая успешно пролетела над Японией, упав в воды Тихого океана. Пхеньян официально сообщил, что это была не совсем удачная попытка вывести в космос спутник связи. С учетом того, что ни в каких спутниках связи последователи чучхе не нуждаются в принципе, стало ясно: у Ким Чен Ира есть ракеты, способные нести ядерные боеголовки. (Ныне куда более совершенные вполне могут долететь не только до американских баз в Японии или на Гуаме, но и, собственно, до Америки — Гавайских островов и Аляски, не говоря о нашем Дальнем Востоке.)
В апреле этого года ЦРУ наконец рискнуло. Первый зам. директора этой организации Джон Маклафлин заявил: «КНДР, возможно, располагает одной или двумя атомными бомбами». «Возможно»? «Двумя»?
Вот что сказал по этому поводу «Собеседнику» знаменитый российский ученый и эколог профессор Алексей Яблоков:
— Конечно, у Северной Кореи есть своя атомная бомба, кто в этом сомневается? Спор может идти лишь о том, сколько их. Но сам факт налицо. Думаете, почему американцы столь настойчиво ведут с ними переговоры: прекращайте свою атомную программу, а мы в обмен вам то-то и то-то — окажем помощь, рис дадим?
Яблоков в этой оценке не одинок. Аналогичный вывод сделали и другие эксперты, например аналитики фонда «Духовное наследие», которых при всем желании трудно обвинить в политической предвзятости по отношению к нашим соседям. Реакторы в КНДР таковы, что могут производить только оружейный плутоний. Ну, при большом желании еще и электричество, только факта промышленного производства электроэнергии на атомных реакторах не зафиксировано и по сей день!
Крестным отцом был Хрущев
Создание ядерного оружия стало идеей фикс Ким Ир Сена, папочки нынешнего вождя КНДР, сразу после окончания войны 1950—1953 годов. Ибо шанс замочить южных корейцев у Пхеньяна был только в одном случае: нанести дислоцированным там американским войскам такой урон, после которого Пентагон под давлением общественного мнения вывел бы их. Сделать же это можно было лишь с помощью оружия массового уничтожения — химического, биологического и ядерного. Вот, едва оправившись от войны, Ким-старший и начал суетиться во всех этих направлениях. Особенно впечатлял его успех Китая, который при помощи СССР так развернулся, что сумел в 1964-м провести первое испытание атомного оружия. Так что крестным отцом китайской бомбы по праву можно считать Никиту Хрущева, подарившего Мао ядерные технологии и подготовившего ему десятки физиков-ядерщиков.
Это известно. А вот о том, что аналогичный подарок Хрущев, а затем Брежнев сделали и Пхеньяну, у нас почему-то скромно умалчивают. Еще в 1956-м между КНДР и СССР было заключено соглашение о сотрудничестве в области ядерной энергии. Десятки северокорейских специалистов отправились на обучение и стажировки в наши закрытые ядерные НИИ. В 1964-м СССР строит «научно-исследовательский» центр в інбоне, а еще через год поставляет и вводит в строй небольшой «исследовательский» реактор ИРТ-2М мощностью 5 мегаватт.
Отчего Кремль проявил столь неслыханную щедрость (сам Пхеньян не затратил ни копейки), ей-богу, непонятно. Пропагандисты, конечно, на голубом глазу могли талдычить про «мирный атом в каждый дом», но специалисты-то прекрасно понимали: развитием атомной энергетики в КНДР (как в КНР, а ныне в Иране, Ираке и Ливии) не пахнет, все это полнейший бред. Тем паче с учетом тамошних гигантских запасов дешевого угля и колоссальной убыточности атомной энергетики развивать ее мог только идиот. Или тот, кому нужна была А-бомба. Поскольку идиотом Ким Ир Сен не был, выводы однозначны.
— Внешне, — продолжает Яблоков, — программа помощи Северной Корее в развитии атомной энергетики была мирной, ни в одном документе вы не найдете слова «бомба». Однако именно на основании этих «мирных» программ Северная Корея создала-таки свою атомную бомбу...
Между тем в 1974-м корейские специалисты модернизировали маломощный советский реактор, превратив его уже в 8-мегаваттный. Не фонтан, однако с тех пор тот успешно стал выдавать на-гора уже не 10-процентный, как раньше, а чистейшей воды оружейный, 80-процентный плутоний. А в начале 1980-х в інбоне соорудили еще один реактор, уже 50-мегаваттный.
Призрак Берии
Как выглядит северокорейский атомный монстр, доподлинно не знает никто. Остается лишь положиться на слова редких перебежчиков и материалы разведок. По доступным фрагментам можно догадаться, что он почти в точности копирует структуру, существовавшую в СССР при Сталине, когда советский аналог «Манхеттенского проекта» цвел под мудрым руководством Лаврентия Берии...
Как известно, А-бомбу можно сделать либо из высокообогащенного урана, либо из плутония. Поскольку корейцы выбрали второе, для изготовления одной бомбы им нужно от 4 до 8 кг. Приблизительные расчеты таковы: за сутки реактор производит один грамм плутония на каждый мегаватт его мощности, значит, 50-мегаваттный способен наработать до 20 кг за год — этого хватит для 4—5 боезарядов. Если же суммировать все имеющиеся у Кима-младшего реакторы, получится, что он мог надыбать уже более 250 кг оружейного сырья, чего хватит на все 63 бомбы того типа и мощности, какие сбрасывали на Нагасаки.
Интересны мотивы, по которым корейцы сделали ставку именно на плутоний, а не на обогащенный уран, позволяющий упростить конструкцию бомбы и сделать ее не просто примитивной, но и предельно надежной. Разгадка, как оказалось, кроется в проблеме секретности. Специалисты-ядерщики пояснили вашему корреспонденту, что создание урановых зарядов требует строительства колоссальной инфраструктуры: огромных и крайне дорогостоящих обогатительных предприятий. Обеспечить скрытность которых практически невозможно, поскольку, даже если запрятать все под землю и в горные шахты, наличие мощных источников электроэнергии и выделение чудовищного количества тепла всех выдаст. Производство же плутония, как и было сказано, несравненно легче замаскировать под гражданскую промышленную энергетику. Сложность, по мнению отечественных и американских физиков-ядерщиков, в том, что, даже создав и накопив у себя несколько боезарядов, специалисты КНДР вынуждены провести испытания, необходимые для проверки их работоспособности и определения боевых характеристик. Но их скрыть невозможно. Посему нашим соседям приходится заниматься тихим накоплением, рассчитывая, что хотя бы часть бомб при взрыве выйдет на заданную мощность.
И кому верить — СВР или Крючкову?
Изумляют наши доблестные разведчики. Впервые факт наличия ядерного оружия у Северной Кореи установили вовсе не американцы или южнокорейцы. В 1990-м председатель КГБ СССР Владимир Крючков в секретной докладной записке в политбюро за №363-к сообщил высшему партийному руководству, что в інбоне «завершена разработка первого атомного взрывного устройства. Его испытание в настоящее время не планируется в интересах сокрытия от мировой общественности и контролирующих международных организаций самого факта производства в КНДР атомного оружия». Самый писк шпионских игрищ и интриг вокруг северокорейского атома в том, что стоило во главе нашей разведки встать великому востоковеду Евгению Примакову, как оценки поменялись с точностью до наоборот. Всего лишь спустя три года в открытом и предназначенном для публики докладе СВР «Новый вызов после «холодной войны»: распространение оружия массового поражения» примаковские аналитики утверждали: «В настоящее время КНДР не располагает ядерным оружием. Вместе с тем в течение сравнительно длительного периода КНДР развивает военно-прикладную программу в ядерной сфере». Самое забавное, что наша разведка стоит на своем, ни на йоту не изменив позицию и в 2001 году. Зачем пугать Кремль, который страстно возжелал подружиться с Кимом?
Хорошо еще разведчики признают, что у корейцев есть химическое и биологическое оружие и мощности по его производству. Правда, и тут без забавностей не обошлось: «Сведений о наступательном характере этих программ не поступало». Прикинь, да! Бубонную чуму и сибирскую язву товарищи разводят в массовом порядке исключительно обороны ради: стоит американским империалистам вторгнуться в КНДР, как их тут же закидают бациллами, чумными палочками и холерными вибрионами — на своей территории.
Смешно все это, коли не было бы так грустно. Потому как картина вырисовывается недвусмысленно устрашающая: под нашим боком, на дальневосточной границе, процветает авантюрный и абсолютно не управляемый режим, не без нашей помощи создавший и накопивший кучу атомных бомб, не говоря уже о всем прочем. Каковые Ким способен применить в любой момент. И если кто-то в Кремле думает, что мимо них пронесет, напрасно: мимо Садового кольца — быть может, но мимо нашего Приморья? Остается надеяться, что в докладах высшему государственному руководству, не предназначенных для широкой публики, разведка исходит все же из реалий, а не пудрит мозги приятными байками. Между прочим, на свои военные нужды, в том числе ядерные, голодающий Пхеньян расходует аж 6—7 миллиардов долларов в год. И это куда больше, чем тратит на аналогичные цели Россия.
People's Daily reported that Kim Jong-il, top leader of the DPRK met Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov on January 20. Losyukov delivered a message by Russian President Vladimir Putin on how to resolve the nuclear crisis to Kim , who said he would give his reaction to the message later. Kim and Losyukov talked about bilateral ties and railway construction along the eastern coast of the DPRK during the talks, the report said. The package of proposals put forward by Losyukov includes a nuclear-free status on the Korean Peninsula, security guarantee for the DPRK and resumption of humanitarian assistance and economic aid to the DPRK. The proposals were "good," said Kim. Kim also gave some suggestions to the proposals and expressed his hope to resolve the nuclear issue through a diplomatic way, said the report. (Zhao Jiaming, "DPRK LEADER MEETS WITH RUSSIAN ENVOY," Pyongyang, 01/21/03, P3)
Chosun Ilbo reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has shown deep interest in Russian President Vladimir Putin's "package plan," which calls for security guarantees and a resumption of economic aid to the DPRK in return for a commitment to keep the Korean peninsula nuclear-free. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov reported this upon returning home from Pyongyang on Wednesday. The special envoy was quoted by the Itar-Tass News Agency as saying in a press conference that DPRK is willing to resume dialogue for a peaceful resolution to the nuclear crisis. Deputy Minister Losyukov also hinted at the possibility of bilateral talks between Russia and US, to draw up a new mediation plan. ("RUSSIAN ENVOY SAYS KIM JONG IL POISED FOR DIALOGUE," Seoul, 01/24/03)
The Associated Press reported that Russia thinks the US must talk directly with the DPRK to defuse a crisis over that country's suspected development of nuclear weapons and will work in that direction, its foreign minister said Thursday. "A direct dialogue with Pyongyang and Washington is necessary. We support such a dialogue and from our side we will contribute so that this dialogue takes place," Igor Ivanov said after meeting with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou. The nuclear standoff with the DPRK and the crisis over Iraq are among the top issues Ivanov will be discussing in Athens during a meeting with European Union representatives. On Friday, Ivanov will discuss those issues and others concerning Russia's relations with the 15-member during a meeting with Papandreou, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and EU External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten. Greece holds the rotating, six-month EU presidency. ("RUSSIA THINKS US MUST TALK DIRECTLY WITH NORTH KOREA," 01/23/03)
Анатолий МАКОГОНОВ, «Сегодня»
История стремительного взлета Ким Ир Сена к вершинам власти загадочна, в ней много неясного, противоречивого и просто непонятного. Тщательно отредактированные, отлакированные, сдобренные благовониями биографии "вождя", растиражированные по всему миру материалы, только запутывают истину. Ясно только одно -- авторы этих апокрифов намеренно оставляли "белые пятна", дабы читатель не догадался, что они не просто "темные", -- кровавые.
Этот недалекий, но очень хитрый, изворотливый и целеустремленный человек, создавая собственное "житие", ничем не гнушался и ни перед чем не останавливался. Кое-кто из его бывших друзей и соратников, знавших некоторые детали его биографии, ушли в мир иной при загадочных обстоятельствах. Но Ким Ир Сен добился своего: многие простые корейцы на Севере страны верят в его божественное происхождение, в его гений, мистическую силу и непорочность.
Син Чен Так, владелец известного харьковского ресторана "Чосон", старейшина корейской диаспоры в Украине, в свое время командующий войсками связи северо-корейской армии, глава министерства связи КНДР, хорошо знавший Ким Ир Сена, продолжает свой рассказ...
Анатолий МАКОГОНОВ, «Сегодня»
Син Чен Така, владельца известного ресторана "Чосон", старейшину корейской диаспоры в Украине, в свое время командующего войсками связи северо-корейской армии, главу министерства связи КНДР, в Харькове уважают. Генерал армии и министр Син Чен Так работал, дружил, просто общался с людьми, чьи имена стали достоянием истории. Сталин и Мао Цзэдун, Хрущев и Ким Ир Сен, маршал Жуков и Индира Ганди, Дэн Сяопин, Суслов, Брежнев и многие другие...
Поговорить с Син Чен Таком -- одно удовольствие. Он умен, образован, прекрасно воспитан, а глубокое знание марксизма, конфуцианства и прочих философских учений предопределяет глубину его суждений и оценок. Он не хочет судить о прошлом с позиций обывателя. Но он знает, что человек слаб, даже если он велик. Жажда власти валит с ног даже сильных и умных, а некоторых в конце концов губит. Примеров тому множество.
Михаил ЛАМЦОВ, "Аргументы и Факты"
- Григорий Конович, откуда появилась сама фигура Ким Ир Сена?
- Шел апрель 1945 года. Война с Германией близилась к завершению. Нам стало ясно, что приезд на Дальний Восток командующего фронтом маршала Мерецкова не случаен. Готовилась война с Японией. Мерецков образовал из одного два Дальневосточных фронта. Мой седьмой отдел поделили тоже на две части. Членом Военного совета фронта был Штыков, бывший секретарь Ленинградского обкома партии. Вот ему-то и поручили заниматься Кореей. Я ему помогал. Понимая, что в условиях слабого экономического развития и непростой политической ситуации, без яркого национального лидера утвердить новую власть будет непросто, из ставки Верховного главнокомандующего пришла секретная директива.
Содержание приблизительно следующее: подготовить и сообщить в центр сведения о достойной кандидатуре на пост главы государства Кореи. Задача была не из легких. Представьте, какая на нас лежала ответственность. Фактически решалась судьба целого народа. Я это хорошо понимал...
The Associated Press reported that Russia is eyeing a number of potential economic prizes in the DPRK amid diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis over the DPRK's nuclear program. Chief among these is a proposed railway linking the ROK to Russia's Trans-Siberian railroad via the DPRK. The rail link would connect the ROK's deep-water port of Pusan, one of the world's busiest ports, with the markets of Europe, earning Russia lucrative transit fees for goods crossing its vast territory. "Russia sees economic potential in this railroad," said Anton Khlopkov, an analyst at Moscow's PIR Center for Policy Studies. "By some estimates, Russia could receive up to 2 billion dollars per year." President Vladimir Putin has stressed his interest in the project, and met with Kim Jong Il last year during the DPRK leader's second train journey across Russia. Russia's railways ministry has pledged to upgrade a stretch of track between the Siberian town of Ussuriisk and the DPRK border city of Khasan.
However, major construction remains on hold amid renewed tensions on the Korean peninsula and the unresolved question of who will pay the estimated US$3.3 billion price tag. Trade between Moscow and Pyongyang has plummeted since the collapse of the Soviet Union, with trade turnover falling some 80 percent to US$115 million in 2001. But Russia has much to gain by cultivating ties with North Korea. Russian coal, minerals, and skilled technicians, analysts said. "We can reconstruct factories and electrical stations built with Soviet help, during the Soviet era," said Vadim Tkachenko, director of the Center for Korean Studies at Moscow's Institute of the Far East. (Eric Engleman, "RUSSIA EYES ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF NORTH KOREA AMID DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO RESOLVE CRISIS," Moscow, 01/22/03)
ОМСК, 22 января. /Корр. РИА "Новости" - Сибирь Роман Жаренков/
Северная Корея намерена закупать в Омской области трактора, дизельное топливо и пушнину. Как передает корреспондент РИА "Новости", соответствующие соглашения были подписаны в ходе состоявшихся в среду в Омске переговоров делегации Северной Кореи с представителями местных деловых кругов. Как сообщили в пресс-службе администрации области, наибольший интерес гости проявили к тракторам ЗТМ-62Л, которые выпускает Государственное унитарное предприятие "Омсктрансмаш".
В августе 2001 года предприятие посетил лидер Северной Кореи Ким Чен Ир во время краткой остановки в Омске. Губернатор Леонид Полежаев тогда принял решение передать один трактор этой модели в дар корейскому народу. В интервью корреспонденту РИА "Новости" второй секретарь торгового совета посольства КНДР в России заявил, что Северная Корея готова после доработки закупить пробную партию из 100 тракторов. При этом северокорейская сторона намерена рассчитаться за сельхозтехнику деньгами без привлечения бартерных схем.
Кроме того, корейская делегация подписала с руководством ОАО "Сибнефть - Омский нефтеперерабатывающий завод" протокол о намерении закупить 30 тыс тонн дизельного топлива. Северная Корея также планирует купить в Омской области партию меха серебристо-голубой норки. Как заявил и.о. директора ЗАО "Речное" Юрий Оконенко, предполагается поставить в КНДР 5-7 тысяч шкур норки. В пресс-службе сообщили также, что пока КНДР занимает 103-ю позицию во внешнеэкономическом рейтинге области.
/РИА "Новости"/ "Сеульский вестник", 2000-2003
The Associated Press reported that a top Russian diplomat said Wednesday that the DPRK was willing to reopen a dialogue with the US to settle the crisis around its nuclear program. "The North Korean side is prepared for a dialogue with Washington, naturally taking into account the opinions of other countries including Russia, on the question of normalizing (the situation) on the Korean peninsula," Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency. However, US Undersecretary of State John Bolton said in Seoul that the U.N. nuclear watchdog was expected to refer the dispute to the U.N. Security Council soon - a move expected to infuriate the DPRK, which insists that its dispute over its nuclear development is purely with the US and does not involve other parties. During his three-day visit to Pyongyang, Losyukov presented Russia's so-called "package" approach to solving the crisis, which consists of three parts: nuclear-free status for the Korean peninsula, security guarantees for the DPRK and a package of humanitarian and economic aid. He said Thursday that he would give Russian President Vladimir Putin a rundown on the Pyongyang talks before revealing details. (Judith Ingram, "RUSSIAN ENVOY: NORTH KOREA IS PREPARED TO REOPEN DIALOGUE WITH UNITED STATES TO DEFUSE NUCLEAR CRISIS," Moscow, 01/22/03)
BBC, Пятница, 10 января 2003 г., 12:56 GMT 15:56 MCK
В пятницу Северная Корея заявила, что выходит из договора о нераспространении ядерного оружия и соглашения с МАГАТЭ о мониторинге ядерных объектов в стране.
При этом Пхеньян заявил, что не будет производить ядерное оружие, а займется лишь созданием ядерных реакторов для производства электроэнергии. Ведущий сотрудник Института Дальнего Востока российской Академии наук Александр Жебин рассказал в интервью Русской службе Би-би-си о том, какие последствия может иметь этот шаг Северной Кореи, и в чем его причины.
Би-би-си: Насколько эта акция была ожидаема?
АЖ: Такой вариант специалистами не исключался, тем более что КНДР уже предпринимала такой шаг в 1993-м году, когда она заявила о выходе из договора и затем после переговоров с США приостановила это решение.
Би-би-си: Это был решительный шаг со стороны КНДР, или политический шантаж?
АЖ: Безусловно, это всего лишь очередная карта, которую пытаются разыграть северокорейцы в их сложной дипломатической игре с американцами, которая продолжается уже около десятка лет. И суть этой игры, видимо, заключается в том, что северокорейцы тем или иным путем рассчитывают добиться нормализации отношений с Соединенными Штатами, что, как считают в Пхеньяне, позволит снять военную угрозу со стороны Вашингтона.
Би-би-си: Кто основные игроки на этой сцене?
АЖ: Мне представляется, что главными действующими игроками в Корее сейчас и, может быть, 10 лет назад во времена ядерного кризиса 1993-94 годов являются США и Китай. Ядерные и ракетные проблемы Северной Кореи - это все же, на мой взгляд, частности в той большой стратегической игре двух крупнейших держав 21 века, которые стремятся занять наиболее выгодные стратегические позиции в соперничестве, которое будет развертываться между ними в нынешнем столетии.
Известно, что Китай намерен в ближайшие 20 лет увеличить в четыре раза свой валовый национальный продукт, и тогда обойти США по всем основным показателям производства. Американцы это очень хорошо понимают. Борьба в Корее идет, конечно, не вокруг ядерной ракетной программы, а за то, кто будет обладать контролем над корейским полуостровом, который располагается на стыке Японии, России и Китая - трех ведущих будущих потенциальных соперников США в 21 веке.
Именно поэтому американцы так осторожно, так сдержанно ведут себя в корейском вопросе. Речь идет не о столкновении с КНДР, а речь идет о том, поссорятся ли американцы почти с 1,5 миллиардами китайцев, и каковы будут последствия этой ссоры.
Agence France-Presse reported that the head of Russia's external intelligence services dismissed the notion that Russian agents secretly helped the Central Intelligence Agency monitor the DPRK nuclear activities by installing radiation detection equipment. A report in The New York Times Monday regarding "purported cooperation between the SVR (Russia's foreign intelligence) and the CIA against North Korea is false," SVR chief Boris Labusov said Tuesday. The New York Times, citing unnamed intelligence officials, said Russian agents had placed sophisticated nuclear monitors provided by the CIA inside the Russian embassy in Pyongyang to try to detect telltale signs of activity from the DPRK nuclear weapons program. Labusov noted that "certain forces in the United States specially fabricated this story just at the time that Russia is making intensive efforts to help reduce tensions over North Korea's nuclear program." A senior Russian envoy, Alexander Losyukov, travelled to Pyongyang at the weekend to present a "package deal" to resolve the crisis. ("RUSSIA DENIES US REPORT ON SPYING IN N. KOREA NUCLEAR CRISIS," 01/21/03)
МОСКВА, 21 января. /Корр. РИА "Новости"/.
Служба внешней разведки (СВР) России категорически опровергла сообщения о "некоем сотрудничестве ЦРУ и СВР, направленном против КНДР". Как заявили во вторник РИА "Новости" в пресс-бюро Службы внешней разведки, такие сведения, распространенные газетой "Нью-Йорк Таймс" от 20 января текущего года, "не соответствуют действительности". "Мы исходим из того, что некоторые силы в США специально сфабриковали эту публикацию в тот момент, когда Россия предпринимает интенсивные усилия с целью помочь разрядить напряженность вокруг ядерной программы Северной Кореи", - подчеркнули в СВР. /РИА "Новости"/ "Сеульский вестник", 2000-2003
Chosun Ilbo reported that Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov, the Russian special envoy to DPRK, met with Kim Jong Il, DPRK's National Defense Commission Chairman and conferred on a nuclear package plan suggested by Russia, the Itartass News Agency reported, Monday. The Russian package plan is known to include humanitarian and economic assistance proposals for the guarantee of a nuclear-free Korean peninsula, compliance with the 1994 Agreed Framework, and talks between DPRK and US, and other parties. Deputy Minister Losyukov is the first foreign high-level official to meet Chairman Kim since DPRK announced its withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT). Russian news agencies reported that the meeting, which took place in the guesthouse "Baikhwawon," lasted more than one hour and that Losyukov delivered Russian President Vladimir Putin's position on the subject. The reports said that the North Korean leader expressed his gratification for Russia's mediation efforts, however, they did not state what Kim's reaction to the plan was. (Chung Byung-seon, "RUSSIA OFFERS NUCLEAR PACKAGE TO KIM JONG IL," Seoul, 01/21/03)
Agence France-Presse reported that Russian envoy Alexander Losyukov said there was "some optimism" the DPRK nuclear crisis can be solved peacefully after holding "constructive" talks with DPRK leader Kim Jong-Il. His assessment Tuesday came despite demands from the US that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) refer the DPRK's violation of a nuclear safeguards treaty to the UN Security Council. This could lead to sanctions that the DPRK has said would be tantamount to a declaration of war. Losyukov, the Russian deputy foreign minister, held six hours of talks with Kim, which he described as "useful and rather constructive" on his arrival in Beijing from Pyongyang after a four-day visit. "There were a number of talks in Pyongyang," he told reporters ahead of meetings Tuesday with Chinese officials including a vice foreign minister. "But generally speaking, I think that there is some optimism the problem can be resolved providing the preparedness of the sides involved."
He refused to divulge details of his discussions with Kim or Kim's response to a Russian proposal to solve the near-four month crisis, saying he had to report first to Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, in an interview with Russia's ITAR-TASS news agency he said the DPRK was eager for Russia's aid in the matter, and "we agreed to keep such contacts constant. This is absolutely required in a crisis situation such as this." Pyongyang, he added, treated the plan "with interest." "They are analyzing it, and I think some things from this plan could well be used," he said. ("RUSSIAN ENVOY HOLDS 'USEFUL' TALKS IN NORTH KOREA," 01/21/03) and Agence France-Presse ("RUSSIAN ENVOY SAYS 'SOME OPTIMISM' NORTH KOREA CRISIS CAN BE SOLVED," 01/21/03)
China Daily reported that PRC and Russian officials on January 17 urged all parties concerned "to keep calm and exercise restraint" over the nuclear issue of the DPRK. The report said that Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Yang Wenchang and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losiukov had a luncheon, during which they called on the parties to continue seeking a peaceful solution through dialogue under the current complicated situation. According to Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue, both Yang and Losiukov called for efforts "to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, support a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and settle the nuclear issue through dialogue". Two officials "exchanged views on Sino-Russian relations, the DPRK nuclear issue and other issues of common concern," Zhang said in the report. ("COUNTRIES CALL FOR RESTRAINT," 01/18-19/03, P8)
China Daily carried a commentary article commenting that Russian President Vladimir Putin took a step closer to helping mediate the Korean nuclear crisis when he and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi issued a joint statement criticizing the DPRK's withdrawal from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Hideshi Takesada, professor at the National Institute for Defense Studies in Tokyo said that Putin, who has had three meetings with DPRK's Kim Jong-il over the last three years, may play a key role in the unfolding drama as US President George W. Bush had his hands full with war preparations against Iraq. Takesada added that he thought Putin's meetings played a key role in bringing about the success of the Japan-DPRK summit last September, at which Kim signed a declaration vowing to obey all international treaties.
Takehiko Yamamoto, political-science professor at Tokyo's Waseda University, said the joint statement by Koizumi and Putin would make DPRK wake up to the fact that there are other players in the crisis besides the US, ROK and Japan. Shinkichi Eto, president of Tokyo's Toyo Eiwa Joshi Gakuin University, said the strongest card that Russia could play in resolving the crisis would be to stop food and military aid to pressure DPRK into giving up its nuclear ambitions, but that Moscow would need to wait for the Security Council to impose sanctions before moving ahead. ("RUSSIA MAY HAVE KEY ROLE IN SOLVING KOREAN CRISIS," Tokyo, 01/14/03, P4)
By Tamora Vidaillet and Jane Macartney
BEIJING/SEOUL (Reuters) - A Russian envoy said on Tuesday he saw hope of a solution to the North Korean nuclear crisis after a rare meeting with reclusive leader Kim Jong-il. Raising the stakes for Pyongyang, however, were U.S. suggestions that it was time the United Nations Security Council weighed in on the standoff to pile pressure on Kim to abandon his nuclear ambitions.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov held six hours of talks on Monday with Kim, becoming the first foreign envoy to meet the leader of the isolated state since the crisis erupted last October. Passing through Beijing, Losyukov described his talks with Kim during a three-day visit to Pyongyang as "very useful and rather constructive," but declined to give details. "But generally speaking, I think that there is some optimism and the problems can be resolved providing the preparedness of the sides involved," he said in English.
Losyukov presented Pyongyang with a set of three proposals that call for the Korean peninsula to be nuclear-free in exchange for guarantees of the North's security and the resumption of aid to the impoverished communist state... "The nuclear problem on the Korean peninsula was created by the United States and must be wholly resolved with us and the United States sitting knee-to-knee," KCNA said one North Korean official told Losyukov.
To try to defuse the tension, Moscow was counting on further contacts to hammer out the details of a possible solution to the crisis, the Itar-Tass news agency cited Losyukov as saying. "The meeting was very substantive. The atmosphere was very warm," Losyukov said after meeting Kim. "Moscow is optimistic that a solution to the crisis around North Korea can be found through peaceful means," Itar-Tass quoted him as saying.
His remarks were the strongest indication yet of a possible breakthrough in an impasse that began in October when Washington said the North had admitted to a secret nuclear weapons program. Pyongyang later ejected U.N. nuclear inspectors, removed the seals from a mothballed reactor and pulled out of a global treaty to prevent the spread of nuclear arms. Losyukov gave Kim a message from President Vladimir Putin, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. Russia is one of the few countries to maintain close ties with Pyongyang. Kim has visited Russia twice in recent years and Putin has made one trip to Pyongyang....
By Paul Shin, Associated Press Writer, Tuesday, January 21, 2003; 1:38 AM
SEOUL, South Korea –– North Korean President Kim Jong Il heard a Russian plan for ending his nation's nuclear standoff during talks Monday with a Moscow envoy, his first known meeting with a foreigner since the crisis started. The three-part plan, presented by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov, envisions nuclear-free status for the Korean peninsula, and written security guarantees and a humanitarian and economic aid package for the impoverished North.
Losyukov was quoted as telling the Russian news agency ITAR-Tass that talks were "very warm" and "successful," but he cautioned they were only a first step in ending the standoff with the United States over North Korea's nuclear ambitions. "Generally speaking, I think there is some optimism the problems can be resolved" provided the sides involved are prepared, Losyukov said on returning to Beijing from the insular nation. Losyukov declined further comment, saying he had to brief Russian President Vladimir Putin about his trip. He said he would remain in China for another day to meet with officials. "I'm rather exhausted," he said.
Russia, along with China, is one of the communist North's few remaining allies and seen as key to resolving the conflict or helping to arrange the direct talks Washington seeks with Pyongyang. Kim, who like his father before him rules North Korea with an iron fist, is regarded as the only power in the isolated country who can make any decision on the nuclear issue. His meeting with Losyukov was apparently his first with a foreigner since early December, when his country decided to reactivate nuclear facilities frozen under a 1994 energy deal with the United States. It since expelled U.N. monitors and quit a global anti-nuclear treaty. Losyukov said Kim was
expected to give his answer on the "package plan" directly to Putin...
By James Risen in Washington and Tom Allard in Canberra, The New York Times, January 21 2003
Russian intelligence officers secretly put nuclear detection equipment inside North Korea at the request of the CIA in the 1990s, to help the United States track Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program, intelligence officials say. The monitors, which were put inside the Russian embassy in the capital, were provided by the CIA and the agency trained officers from the Russian intelligence agency SVR in their operation. The Russians then shared their findings with the Americans.
The joint operation has since ended, and it is unclear how long it lasted or whether it provided useful intelligence on the nuclear weapons program. Nor would officials say whether the Russians put detection equipment elsewhere in North Korea. The disclosure came as North Korea rejected international diplomatic efforts to harness its nuclear program, insisting it would negotiate only with Washington. Pyongyang said it would not allow the US to "internationalise" the dispute, and insisted that the United Nations should not be involved. "[North Korea] and the United States should sit face-to-face to solve the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula," the state-run
Korean Central News Agency quoted the first vice-foreign minister, Kang Sok-ju, as saying....
...The clandestine bugging of the North Koreans reveals a remarkable level of intelligence co-operation between Moscow and Washington on the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The decision by the CIA to turn to the Russians also demonstrates how the US has been forced to rely on help from other nations to collect information from inside North Korea, one of the world's most closed societies. Current and former US officials say the fact that Washington does not have an embassy in North Korea has made it very difficult for CIA officers to get direct access to the country.
Российский посредник по урегулированию северокорейской ядерной проблемы принят сегодня в Пхеньяне на самом высоком уровне. Этим утром заместитель министра иностранных дел Александр Лосюков встречается с лидером КНДР Ким Чен Иром. По итогам встречи, как ожидается, дипломат расскажет о том, что собирается делать Северная Корея со своей ядерной программой. //ИТАР-ТАСС (20 January 2003, 8:22am, in Russian)
The Associated Press reported that a Russian diplomat en route the DPRK said Friday the standoff over the DPRK's nuclear program is primarily a dispute between the DPRK and the US, though it is of "major interest" to other nations. Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov arrived in Beijing on Friday morning to meet with Yang Wenchang, his PRC counterpart, on the first leg of an Asian tour that the PRC said would involve Russian "mediation." "First of all, this situation needs to be resolved on a bilateral level, between North Korea and the United States," Losyukov said. "This is mainly an issue between the United States and the DPRK, but other countries also have a major interest in the situation." Later, the PRC Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying Yang and Losyukov met and expressed support for "the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."
"Both sides hope that the parties concerned can exercise calm and restraint and continue to seek the peaceful settlement of the question through dialogue," the ministry said. Losyukov was to travel to the DPRK, probably later in the day, for talks with officials in Pyongyang. "We hope that the mediation will succeed," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue was quoted as saying in the China Daily newspaper. Russia's Interfax news agency quoted the Foreign Ministry's public affairs office as saying that Russia did not intend to play a role as an intermediary in the North Korea crisis. "It is necessary to allow quiet diplomacy to do its job," Losyukov said. "It is important to refrain from loud statements and from further antagonism of the sides." (Ted Anthony, "RUSSIAN DIPLOMAT EN ROUTE TO NORTH KOREA FOR NUCLEAR TALKS," Beijing, 01/17/03)
Reuters reported that Russia joined efforts on Thursday to defuse the nuclear standoff between the DPRK and the US by sending an emissary to Pyongyang, as the ROK warned of war if diplomacy fails. Though Russia is one of the few countries that have a close relationship with the DPRK, analysts said the chances of any breakthrough from this mission were slim. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov will try to persuade the DPRK to drop its nuclear programs US says are aimed at producing weapons, and return to a global atomic arms pact. "There are no great hopes that Losyukov will succeed in achieving this. This is a huge task and difficult to implement, and Losyukov understands that," said Alexander Vorontsov, a top Russian expert on the DPRK.
The influential newspaper Kommersant, in an article by two Korean experts, said: "In the main, the situation for Moscow is not very hopeful. "The only thing that will remain possible for Russian diplomacy is to try to restrain the ones who are about to start fighting and force them to talk to one another with the aim of finding compromise," it said. Analysts expected Losyukov to offer Russia as a guarantor, possibly with the PRC, of any security commitments made by the US. He will stop off in Beijing on his way to Pyongyang. (Richard Balmforth, "FEW TRUMPCARDS AS RUSSIA SENDS ENVOY TO NORTH KOREA," Moscow, 01/16/03)
The Associated Press reported that the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog said Wednesday that other countries are ready to help the DPRK if it resumes compliance with nuclear agreements and that Russia's plan to send an envoy there could be a catalyst in ending the crisis. At a news conference after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, Mohamed ElBaradei said he made the assessment based on talks with Secretary of State Colin Powell, French officials and others. "There is full readiness ... once North Korea starts to come into compliance, to look favorably to North Korea's security concerns, North Korea's economic needs," said ElBaradei, who heads the International Atomic Energy Agency. "The elements of a solution are there on the table," he said. "I am heartened that Russia is sending an envoy. I hope that will start the process." Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov leaves for Pyongyang on Thursday, with a stop in Beijing on the way, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. ("IAEA CHIEF: NATIONS READY TO AID NORTH KOREA," Moscow, 01/15/03)
The Associated Press reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin is sending a special envoy to Beijing, Pyongyang and Washington to help mediate the crisis over the DPRK's nuclear program, Russia's defense minister said Tuesday. Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov will travel shortly to the PRC, the DPRK and the US as part of international efforts to negotiate a diplomatic solution to the conflict, Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov told reporters after talks with Japan's defense chief Shigeru Ishiba. Ivanov wouldn't give exact dates for Losyukov's tour or elaborate on his mission. "During the last few days, there have been encouraging statements that mean that the situation could be returned to as it was the before North Korea withdrew from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and the status quo could be restored," Ivanov said. He reaffirmed Russia's condemnation of the DPRK's withdrawal from the landmark treaty barring the spread of nuclear weapons, saying the move was "deplorable." However, he said that DPRK should not be threatened. "The problem should be solved by political means without dictating to and pressuring North Korea," Ivanov said. (Vladimir Isachenkov, "PUTIN TO SEND SPECIAL ENVOY TO TRAVEL TO NORTH KOREA, CHINA AND UNITED STATES," Moscow, 01/14/03)
The Asahi Shinbun reported that Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was in the Russian Far East on the last day of a four-day visit to Russia. According to sources, Konstantin Pulikovskii, Russian President Vladimir Putin's representative for federal affairs in the region, who spent a great deal of time with Kim when he traveled to Siberia in August 2002, told Koizumi that Kim "is ready to negotiate as long as he is treated as an equal partner, be it bilaterally or multilaterally." Pulikovskii also reportedly told Koizumi that Kim wants to be "respected by his people and therefore reacts strongly when he appears to be under foreign pressure." Previously, there was speculation that Koizumi would ask Pulikovskii, who is in contact with Kim, to act as a mediator between Tokyo and Pyongyang on issues related to the abduction of Japanese by DPRK. ("RUSSIANS TELL KOIZUMI KIM READY TO NEGOTIATE," Khabarovsk, 01/13/03)
By Christopher Torchia, Associated Press Writer, Monday, January 13, 2003; 4:51 PM
...In Moscow, North Korean Ambassador Pak Ui Chun said Pyongyang might allow the United States to verify it doesn't have a nuclear weapons program "if the United States drops its hostile policy and nuclear threats" toward the North, according to the Russian news agencies Interfax and ITAR-Tass.
Pak spoke at a news conference for Russian journalists, and other reporters were not allowed to attend. He warned that his nation would view sanctions against North Korea as a "declaration of war." "That should be understood literally," he said. North Korea insisted Sunday that it never admitted having a secret nuclear program, sending another conflicting signal in the escalating crisis over its alleged plans to build nuclear weapons.
In October, the United States said North Korea had acknowledged having a weapons program. That announcement touched off the latest standoff, which led to North Korea's decision last week to withdraw from the landmark Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. North Korea on Monday defended its withdrawal from treaty, saying the global accord exposed the country to the "constant nuclear threat" by the United States, the state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun said. "A military option is not a monopoly of the United States," the paper said, warning that North Korea would strike back if attacked.
Pak, the ambassador to Russia, said "one of the main reasons" North Korea withdrew from the treaty was that the United States is using the the International Atomic Energy Agency, which oversees the accord. The IAEA "should stop acting like an American tool, and the United States must stop attempts to use the IAEA as an instrument of pressuring" Pyongyang, Pak said at a news conference for Russian journalists, according to Interfax and ITAR-Tass.
See a TV footage on 1TV.RU in Russian (12.01.2003)
China Daily ("MOSCOW ¡(r)PACKAGE PLAN'", 01/13/03, P1) reported that in Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said on January 12 that Russia is working out a "package settlement plan" for DPRK's nuclear issue. The spokesman said that Russian diplomats are contacting the governments of all the countries concerned to consider details of the plan, adding that "the general outline of that plan is already clear now". Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who ended his four-day official visit to Russia, said Japan is willing to make joint efforts with Russia to tap a diplomatic solution to the nuclear crisis.
Сегодня вступает в силу решение КНДР об одностороннем выходе из Договора о нераспространении ядерного оружия. Официальный Пхеньян уже заявил, что любые санкции против КНДР будут расценены как объявление войны, и грозит возобновлением испытаний баллистических ракет.
«Сплоченными силами нации сорвем ядерные военные происки американского империализма!» – c плакатами такого содержания в субботу вышли на улицы Пхеньяна около миллиона человек. По сообщению северокорейских радиостанций, на митинги, которые проводились на центральной площади имени Ким Ир Сена, а также у монумента идей чучхе собрались жители Пхеньяна, партийные и государственные чиновники различных рангов. Как отмечают наблюдатели, подобные массовые акции не проводились в КНДР с 90-х годов.
Нынешние митинги призваны поддержать Ким Чен Ира, который объявил о выходе страны из Договора о нераспространении ядерного оружия (ДНЯО). Решение уже вступило в силу, о чем Пхеньян незамедлительно проинформировал Международную организацию по атомной энергии (МАГАТЭ). Как прокричал на центральном митинге премьер правительства КНДР Хон Сен Нам, это «подобающая оборонительная мера», направленная на «защиту суверенитета и достоинства государства и нации».
Поводом для такого шага КНДР послужила позиция США, которую в Пхеньяне считают открыто враждебной. И дело даже не в том, что Буш назвал Северную Корею частью «оси зла» и обвинил в попытках тайно создать ядерное оружие. КНДР не устраивает тот факт, что Америка не соблюдает экономические договоренности...
The Washington Post reported that US Secretary of State Colin L. Powell held out the prospect yesterday of a settlement with the DPRK over its nuclear weapons programs that would include formal assurances the US has no plans to attack the the DPRK. "We have made it clear we have no aggressive intent," Powell said, one day after the Bush administration said it is willing to have face-to-face talks with the government in Pyongyang. "Apparently, they want something more than a passing statement." US allies in the region, especially the ROK, and Russia have pressed the administration to consider offering some form of security guarantee to the DPRK to persuade it to reverse its decision to restart its nuclear weapons programs. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov said yesterday that instead of isolating the DPRK, which he called "an erroneous approach," the US should provide the security guarantee sought by the DPRK. (Glenn Kessler, "Security Assurances Possible for North Korea," 01/09/03)
Kyodo reported that Russia is prepared to help Japan resolve issues related to DPRK's abductions of Japanese nationals though they are basically bilateral issues, a senior Russian Foreign Ministry official said Sunday. If there is any chance that Russia can help resolve the issues, it is willing to, said Alexander Losyukov, Russia's vice foreign minister in charge of Asia-Pacific affairs, to Kyodo News and other Japanese media ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's four-day visit to Russia beginning Thursday. Japan's resolving the issues would be in line with Russia's basic stance to seek stability in Northeast Asia, he said. Turning to DPRK's nuclear weapons development, Losyukov said Russia will cooperate with Japan, the US, PRC and ROK. But he said they should use mild diplomacy in asking Pyongyang to give up the development. ("RUSSIA READY TO HELP JAPAN RESOLVE ABDUCTIONS BY N.KOREA," Moscow, 01/05/03)
People's Daily reported that Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov on December 30 called on DPRK to strictly abide by its international nuclear non-proliferation commitments. "Pyongyang's latest decision to send the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors out of the country and to resume uncontrolled activity within the nuclear energy industry is regretful," Ivanov said. Russia supports all the international accords aimed at the nuclear free status of the Korean Peninsula, Ivanov stressed. This goal can only be achieved through a constructive dialogue between all interested parties, he noted. Ivanov warned that "aggressive rhetoric and threats, moreover attempts to isolate the DPRK, can only escalate tension, which does not correspond to the interests of regional and international stability." (Lv Yansong, "RUSSIA URGES DPRK TO HONOR INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTS," 12/31/02, P3)
by Paul Shin, Associated Press Writer, December 31, 2002
SEOUL, South Korea - Russia, North Korea's long-time ally, warned the communist regime Monday not to withdraw from an international agreement to halt the spread of nuclear weapons, a blow to the North's efforts to cast the nuclear issue as a dispute strictly with the United States. South Korea expressed alarm at signs its neighbour was preparing to exit the treaty, which seeks to confine nuclear weapons to the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China. Still, the South insisted dialogue was the only way to resolve the problem peacefully.
Washington rules out any talks before the North changes course. Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly will go to South Korea next month to talk to U.S. allies but not to North Korea "at this time," Secretary of State Colin Powell said Sunday. The Bush administration said Monday that North Korea is dangerously isolating itself from the world community, including China, by its declared determination to revive its nuclear weapons program. "The international community has made clear that North Korea's relations with the outside world hinge on its termination of its nuclear programs," deputy White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters covering President's
Bush's holiday respite at his Texas ranch.
The diplomatic flurry followed Pyongyang's hints in a statement Sunday that it might abandon the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, a move that would deepen the crisis over the isolated country's decision to restart its nuclear facilities and expel U.N. nuclear inspectors. Withdrawing from the pact means the impoverished North is intent on raising pressure on the United States to negotiate over energy sources and is prepared to turn its back on its international obligations to do so. Yet leaving the pact could be a largely symbolic gesture, as U.S. officials believe North Korea already has one or two nuclear bombs.
In recent weeks, the North cut U.N. seals and impeded surveillance equipment at a nuclear reactor in Yongbyon and its spent fuel pond, a fuel fabrication plant and a reprocessing facility. North Korea had agreed to freeze the facilities under a 1994 deal with the United States in exchange for energy supplies. Pyongyang said earlier this month it planned to reactivate the facilities to produce electricity because Washington had halted promised energy sources. The embargo was put in place after North Korea admitted in October to covertly developing nuclear weapons using enriched uranium, in violation of the agreement.
After Washington warned it away from reviving the Yongbyon plant, North Korea said U.S. policy was leading the region to the "brink of nuclear war." Tensions escalated Friday when North Korea ordered the expulsion of two U.N. monitors, depriving the Vienna-based U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency of its last means of monitoring the North's plutonium-based nuclear weapons program. "Pyongyang's recent decisions to send away IAEA inspectors and prepare for renewal of the uncontrolled work of its nuclear energy complex cannot but elicit regret," Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said.
Also in Moscow, Mikhail Lysenko, the director of the Foreign Ministry's security and disarmament department, warned Pyongyang against withdrawing from the treaty. He said Russia supports the 1994 agreement and insists on a "constructive dialogue" among all involved, and that Moscow was consulting with both Koreas, the United States, Japan and China. These were the strongest cautionary statements Moscow has made yet to Pyongyang on the issue. Russia has tried to maintain a balance between demanding North Korea meet its responsibilities and urging the Bush administration - which has declared North Korea part of an "axis of evil" along with Iraq and Iran - to
tone down its rhetoric.
Russia has economic interests in the North, including a new railway crossing the inter-Korean border that Moscow hopes can join the Trans-Siberian, connecting Russia with Western Europe. The communist North also is a potential market for Russian coal, minerals and skilled technicians. When North Korean leader Kim Jong Il visited Russia in August, talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin touched on economic development as well as Moscow's interest in helping bring rapprochement between the two Koreas. The talks highlighted Putin's effort to boost Russia's prestige in foreign affairs after a decade of being upstaged by the West - moves that fit the Kremlin's
oft-stated foreign policy goal of a "multi-polar world" in which the United States is not dominant...
The Associated Press reported that Russia called on the DPRK on Wednesday to cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, to resolve the growing crisis around the DPRK's nuclear program. In an interview with the ITAR-Tass news agency, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov said that "the situation around the DPRK's nuclear program worries Russia, as it negatively affects the situation on the Korean Peninsula." "In these conditions, Pyongyang's cooperation with the IAEA takes on special significance. We call on the DPRK to cooperate with the agency," Losyukov said.
Losyukov said that the IAEA must analyze the situation at Yongbyon, saying that course of action would prevent "conflicts and emotional outbursts," ITAR-Tass reported. He said that sanctions must not be imposed against the DPRK. In recent days, Losyukov and his colleague, Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Mamedov, have accused the US of taking a bellicose approach to the DPRK, as well as to Iraq and Iran, the three countries that US President George W. Bush has termed the "axis of evil." ("RUSSIA CALLS ON NORTH KOREA TO COOPERATE WITH UN NUCLEAR WATCHDOG," Moscow, 12/25/02)
Joongang Ilbo reported that Russia has begun talks with DPRK to resolve issues concerning DPRK's nuclear programs, the Japanese Kyodo News Agency reported Thursday, quoting a visiting senior Russian official. Alexander Losyukov, the Russian deputy foreign minister in charge of the Asia-Pacific region, told Kyodo that Russia had initiated contact with DPRK in an attempt to eliminate threats posed by DPRK's nuclear weapons development programs. Japan and Russia vowed Wednesday to collaborate in their efforts for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, after a meeting in Tokyo between Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and Japanese Foreign Minister Kawaguchi Yoriko. ("RUSSIA TALKS TO NORTH ABOUT NUCLEAR ISSUE," Seoul, 12/20/02)
The Associated Press reported that the foreign ministers of Japan and Russia expressed concern about the DPRK's nuclear weapons program Wednesday and agreed to work toward a peaceful resolution of the issue, a Japanese foreign ministry official said. Yoriko Kawaguchi and her Russian counterpart, Igor Ivanov, discussed Pyongyang's recently disclosed program to develop nuclear weapons at a meeting in Tokyo, the official said on condition of anonymity. Ivanov was in Tokyo for a three-day visit to plan a Jan. 9 summit meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Japan hopes Russia will use its close relationship with the DPRK to persuade them to abandon their nuclear ambitions, the official said. ("RUSSIA, JAPAN AGREE TO WORK TOWARD PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM," Tokyo, 12/18/02)
The Associated Press reported that Russia is offering to use its good contacts with the DPRK leadership to help ease international tension caused by the DPRK moving forward with its nuclear program, a top diplomat said Tuesday. "We are prepared to make such steps and we have instruments no other country has - our rather strong contacts with the North Korean leadership," Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov told Interfax news agency ahead of a planned visit by Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov to Japan, where the issue is expected to be raised. Still, Losyukov stressed the offer wasn't intended to be a form of mediation. "We wouldn't like to cruise between the parties with ultimatums and ask them who blames whom for what," he said. "Our job is to create an atmosphere in which these problems could be settled and, using the instruments available to us, to help the parties in the dispute settle mutual claims and concerns." ("RUSSIA OFFERS TO HELP SOOTHE TENSION OVER NORTH KOREA'S NUCLEAR INTENTIONS," Moscow, 12/17/02)
Chosun Ilbo reported that officials from ROK and Russia opened a two-day meeting in Seoul, Monday, to discuss the idea of connecting an inter-Korean rail link with the Trans-Siberian Railway. The Ministry of Construction and Transportation said key topics of concern include establishing a Russian railway representative office in ROK as well as activating the use of Russia's Trans-Siberian Railway. The Ministry adds the second ROK-Russia Transportation Cooperation Committee meeting will also serve to discuss the possibility of sharing information on DPRK's railway conditions. ("KOREA AND RUSSIA DISCUSS RAILWAY LINKS," Seoul, 12/10/02)
Washington File reported that US President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke chiefly about the DPRK in a 14-minute phone conversation December 6, White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer told reporters. "President Putin has just returned from a trip he had taken to China, India and Kyrgyzstan. The two of them discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the importance of the DPRK making certain that they comply with the international community in a denuclearized Korean Peninsula. And the two discussed the importance of continuing our joint efforts to make that the case," Fleischer said. "The heart of their discussion" was the DPRK. ("BUSH, PUTIN DISCUSS NORTH KOREA IN PHONE CALL," Washington, 12/06/02)
Joongang Ilbo reported that the leaders of PRC and Russia called for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula Monday during a meeting in Beijing. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Jiang Zemin urged DPRK to comply with an agreement reached with US in 1994 for DPRK to give up its nuclear program. The leaders said it was of "extreme importance" that relations between the US and DPRK are based on "adherence to agreement already reached, including the Agreed Framework of 1994." A DPRK-watcher in Beijing said the statement, coming from DPRK's two strongest allies, should have special weight in DPRK. Jiang has called for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, most recently in October after a meeting with US President George W. Bush. (Yoo Kwang-jong, "CHINA, RUSSIA TELL PYEONGYANG TO BAN THE BOMB," Beijing, 12/04/02)
The New York Times, reported that the presidents of the PRC and Russia called on the DPRK today to abandon any program to develop nuclear weapons and urged the US and Japan to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula by resuming talks with the isolated, unpredictable nation. The appeal was consistent with previous statements by the PRC president, Jiang Zemin, and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. But the formal, joint declaration, issued after a high-profile summit here between the two leaders, was a public rebuke of the DPRK by its two closest allies and appeared to be an attempt to raise the diplomatic pressure on the DPRK. "The sides consider it important for the destiny of the world and security in Northeast Asia to preserve the non-nuclear status of the Korean peninsula and the regime of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," the declaration said. Jiang and Putin emphasized the "extreme importance" of new talks between the US and the DPRK. (Erik Eckholm, "PUTIN AND CHINESE LEADER PLEDGE FRIENDSHIP AND CAUTION NORTH KOREA ON NUCLEAR ARMS," Beijing, 12/03/02) and the Washington Post (Philip P. Pan, "PUTIN AND JIANG CRITICIZE N. KOREA ARMS PROGRAM," Beijing, 12/03/02)
Reuters reported that Russia and PRC urged DPRK on Monday to drop its nuclear weapons program in the strongest call ever by DPRK's allies for detente on the Korean peninsula. But a joint declaration after a Beijing summit also sent a strong message to the US, urging the US and DPRK to normalize ties and stick by a 1994 pact which each accuses the other of breaking. Analysts say PRC and Russia have only limited influence over the DPRK and the statement was consistent with recent policy towards them. But PRC, which fought with the DPRK in the 1950-53 Korean War, holds more sway than any other nation as a provider of most of its fuel oil and non-aid food imports as well as being a possible model for gradual economic reforms. "The sides consider it important for the destiny of the world and security in Northeast Asia to preserve the non-nuclear status of the Korean peninsula and the regime of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," said the joint declaration. "And in this context, they stress the extreme importance of normalising relations between the United States and the DPRK on the basis of continued observation of earlier reached agreements, including the framework agreement of 1994." ("CHINA AND RUSSIA URGE N.KOREA TO DROP NUCLEAR PROGRAMME," Beijing, 12/02/02) and the Associated Press (Audra Ang, "RUSSIA, CHINA CALL FOR RENEWED U.S.-NORTH KOREAN CONTACT," Beijing, 12/02/02)
Новая группа северокорейских студентов прибыла в Омск, где уже приступила к изучению русского языка, железных дорог и правил ведения бизнеса в России. По возвращению в КНДР, они будут курировать присоединение Транссибирской ж.д. магистрали к южнокорейским ж.д. дорогам через Северную Корею. Репортаж ТВ-1... ("Время" от 19.11.2002 in Russian)
Pyongyang, November 12 (KCNA) -- The three conditions put up by the DPRK are that the U.S. should recognize the sovereignty of the DPRK, assure it of non-aggression including the nonuse of nukes and stop economic blockade against it, said the Russian newspaper Zavtra (Tomorrow) in a commentary titled "an ultimatum issued by U.S." The U.S. unreasonably accused the DPRK of violating the 1994 DPRK-U.S. Agreed Framework (AF) and producing nuclear fuel and weapons, the commentary said, adding that it is none other than the U.S. which has not implemented the provisions of the AF.
It went on: Shortly ago, the DPRK openly told the U.S. special envoy that the DPRK is entitled to have not only nukes but other types of weapons more powerful than those in order to defend its sovereignty from the U.S. threat to use nukes against it. The statement released by a spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry proves that the DPRK is doing its utmost to normalize the relations between the DPRK and the U.S. The U.S. refusal to respond to the proposal for concluding a non-aggression treaty would only once again lay bare the true nature of the U.S. policy towards the DPRK. If the U.S. continues to behave as today as regards the international relations, it will not be able to escape international isolation. And Northeast Asia will be the first region where the U.S. policy of aggression will go busted.
Pyongyang, November 2 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il was presented with a gift by the Russian Minister of Railway Transport. The gift was handed to vice Marshal of the Korean People's Army Kim Il Chol, vice-Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and Minister of the People's Armed Forces, by Gennadi Fadeyev, Minister of Railway Transport of Russia, on a visit to the DPRK yesterday.
Pyongyang, November 2 (KCNA) -- A memorandum of understanding on rebuilding and modernizing the railways on the Korean eastern coast was signed in Pyongyang today by the DPRK Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Railway Transport of the Russian Federation. The signing ceremony was attended by minister of railways Kim Yong Sam, vice-Minister of Railways Kim Ryong Gang and officials concerned from the DPRK side and Minister of Railway Transport Gennadi Fadeyev, vice-Minister Vladimir Sazonov and others from the Russian side. The ministers inked the memorandum.
Pyongyang, November 2 (KCNA) -- Gennadi Fadeyev, Minister of Railway Transport of Russia, was interviewed by local reporters at the airport today before returning home after concluding his visit to the DPRK. He said the Korean people are waging a dynamic drive, overcoming ordeals caused by the foreign forces and difficulties by natural disasters and that they are, indeed, diligent people. He vent on:
I think that as a neighboring country Russia should cooperate with the DPRK in various fields. Specified in the Moscow declaration adopted last year is the issue of linking Korean railways to the Trans-Siberian Railroad. After the adoption of the declaration a lot of work has been done in this field and deep-going discussions were held during my current visit. We repose great expectations in the future tripartite talks for linking railways. The two peoples have intention to develop friendly relations. The meetings and open-hearted talks between the top leaders of the two countries are of weighty significance in developing the Russia-DPRK friendly relations and wonderful special events.
Moscow, November 1 (KCNA) -- If the United States sidesteps the DPRK's proposal for concluding a non-aggression treaty between the DPRK and the U.S., it means that the U.S. openly reveals its will to invade the DPRK. Pak Ui Chun, DPRK Ambassador to Russia, said this at a press conference in Moscow on Oct. 31. Exposing the aggressive aim the U.S. sought in raising the "nuclear suspicion" in the DPRK, he referred to the faith and will of the Korean army and people to remain true to the army-based policy of Kim Jong Il to the last.
He said that whether the DPRK has nuclear weapons or not will be clear when one properly understands the origin of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. As far as the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula is concerned it cropped up as the U.S. has threatened the DPRK with nuclear weapons in order to realize its strategy for world supremacy, he noted, and went on:
The Bush administration adopted a nuclear preemptive attack on the DPRK as its policy and thus totally breached the basic spirit of the NPT and reduced the north-south joint declaration on denuclearization to a dead document. It is well known to the world that more than 1,000 nuclear weapons have been deployed in South Korea and the U.S. troops present in South Korea are armed with backpack nukes. This is not worth serious discussion.
by Judith Ingram, Associated Press Writer, November 01, 2002
MOSCOW (AP) - In a sharp change of course, Russia on Thursday accused North Korea of being insufficiently forthcoming about its alleged nuclear weapons program, the Interfax news agency reported. The United States said earlier this month that North Korean officials acknowledged they had a nuclear weapons program during talks with visiting Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly in Pyongyang on Oct. 3-5. A U.S official then went to Russia to present Moscow with evidence of the alleged uranium enrichment program.
Moscow reacted with caution, saying it would like to independently check the information before making any definite conclusions. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov said that Moscow had received an explanation from the North Koreans, Interfax reported. But he said it was insufficient. "There is some ambiguity in the statements by North Korean representatives," Losyukov was quoted as saying in an interview with the news agency. "In our view, such ambiguity is very dangerous because it leads to mutual suspicions and can negatively affect the situation on the Korean peninsula."
But Losyukov said that the United States, too, had to present its position more clearly, "insofar as the Russian side has not yet received any convincing evidence of the existence of such a program." He said that North Korea, through diplomatic channels, had provided its version of the talks with Kelly and that there was no public admission that North Korea had continued its uranium enrichment program. Losyukov added that it was unclear whether such an admission had been made in the meeting with the American, saying it was "probably expressed as neither admission nor denial."
Pak Ui Chun, North Korea's ambassador to Moscow, said Thursday that the United States had broken earlier agreements with Pyongyang by declaring it part of an "axis of evil" along with Iran and Iraq, freeing his nation of any previous obligations, Interfax reported. Despite warmer relations with the United States, Russia has maintained close ties with North Korea which President Bush has dubbed part of an "axis of evil" because of its alleged efforts to obtain weapons of mass destruction and sponsorship of international terrorism. North Korean leader Kim Jong Il visited Russia in August for the second consecutive summer.
Pyongyang, November 1 (KCNA) -- Talks between Kim Yong Sam, Minister of Railways of the DPRK, and Gennadi Fadeyev, Minister of Railway Transport of Russia, were held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Friday. At the talks both sides exchanged views on linking railways between the two countries. The talks proceeded in a friendly atmosphere. Present at the talks were Kim Ryong Gang, vice-Minister of Railways, and other officials concerned and the Russian Minister's Party including vice-Minister of Railway Transport Vladimir Sazonov.