December 13, 2007

CAMP BEAUREGARD, LA (KWVA) The article following is from the Japanese Press this evening, December 13,2007.
Those who have been observing the developing and un-developing of events on the Korean Peninsula since the first Communist nuclear blast, October 9, 2006 (see RED ALERT:  North Korea Underground Nuclear Test Reported) will possibly remember that my unswerving reference to all the ensuing talks was that I expected it to be nothing more than a Return to Panmunjom, communist warfare by words and trickery—smoke and mirrors. Unfortunately the present generations of State and White House negotiating types (excepting Ambassador John Bolton) appear not to have studied the old history of the years 1951-9153. Apparently another deception by the communists as the trans-world talks go on. Fifty-seven years now, and over 8,000 still unaccounted for.


National President, KWVA/US
Chairman of the Board


Hill: North Korea refused nuclear declaration

www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/world/20071214TDY01302.htm

Takashi Sakamoto and Takeo Miyazaki / Yomiuri Shimbun Correspondents

Christopher Hill, the chief U.S. envoy at the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear programs, told the U.S. Congress on Wednesday that North Korea had refused to declare its past uranium enrichment programs and nuclear technology transfers, according to sources close to Congress.

Speaking during a closed-door hearing at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on North Korea's nuclear program and U.S.-North Korea ties, Hill made clear that negotiations at the six-party talks have degenerated into a standoff, the sources said.

Hill previously said North Korea's complete declaration of its nuclear programs and disablement of nuclear facilities in Yongbyon are "political conditions" to remove North Korea from the list of nations supporting terrorism.

There was speculation from the start that the United States would not delist North Korea by the end of the year. With the latest development, it is likely to become even more difficult for the United States to start the procedure.

Hill told the closed-door meeting that among steps to be taken in the second phase of North Korea's denuclearization, disablement of the Pyongyang's key nuclear facilities is in progress, according to the sources.

As for a complete and correct declaration of all its nuclear programs, however, Hill reportedly said that North Korea failed to meet any U.S. requests. The United States had demanded that Pyongyang make declarations on all:

Nuclear-related materials, facilities and plans.
Uranium enrichment programs.
Transfer of nuclear technology.

More specifically, North Korea refused to elaborate on its use of plutonium, which can be used to develop nuclear warheads.

As for uranium enrichment programs and nuclear technology transfers, North Korea is reluctant to disclose what it had done in the past, while insisting that it is currently not engaged in such activities.

Hill also indicated that North Korea has failed to meet political conditions to be removed from the list of countries sponsoring terrorism at this stage, according to the sources.

To achieve the goal, North Korea should cooperate with the United States through denuclearization, apart from legal procedures, Hill reportedly told the meeting.

The fact that North Korea is showing a negative attitude on the declaration of its nuclear programs may significantly impact on the future prospects of the six-party talks, observers say.

Because denuclearization will be carried out based on North Korea's declaration of its nuclear programs, the declaration is considered a key step in the negotiations.

With a meeting of the heads of the six delegations originally scheduled for early December having been postponed, the resumption of the ministerial meeting is expected to be significantly delayed.

Hill, who has been making a series of concessions to keep North Korea at the negotiating table, is taking a self-assured approach toward Pyongyang's declaration of its nuclear programs.

Therefore, the future of the six-party talks is seen to largely depend on how North Korea will respond from now, according to the observers.

According to sources close to the nuclear negotiators, U.S. President George W. Bush asked North Korean leader Kim Jong Il to make a full declaration of North Korea's nuclear programs in a personal letter to Kim early this month.

The sources expressed expectations that Kim would take a forward-looking step, saying that if there is a will on the North Korean side to develop negotiations, it would be possible to bridge the gap between Washington and Pyongyang.

(Dec. 14, 2007, Japan)