Wednesday, March 12, 2003
A FEW KOREA UPDATES
--Bill Gertz reports that the DPRK is preparing to break its self-imposed moratorium on long range missile testing
--Bill Gertz reports that the DPRK is preparing to break its self-imposed moratorium on long range missile testing
But as is often the case, the actual copy of the article doesn't quite justify the headline:
Recent satellite photographs of a North Korean base showed activity that appeared to be flight-test preparations, said officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
"There aren't indications of an imminent launch, but it is something they might well do," one U.S. official said. "It's certainly a possibility."
A second official said the activity is being watched closely and that there are concerns that the flight test, which would be North Korea's third in recent weeks, will be of the Taepo-Dong 2 ballistic missile.
A third official at the Pentagon said, "Clearly, the potential is there for a launch with little or no notice."
--China still wants no part in negotiations with North Korea
--in case you were wondering what some people in Ethiopia think of juche
Pyongyang, March 11 (KCNA) -- A preparatory committee was inaugurated by the Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, group for the study of the Juche idea on March 3 to commemorate the Day of the Sun, birthday of President Kim Il Sung. The committee set a period of commemorating the day of the sun from March to April and discussed and decided on action program to hold a meeting, seminar, lecture, film show, photo exhibition and other colorful functions and introduce and propagandize the immortal revolutionary feats of the president through news media during the period.
Meanwhile, a similar preparatory committee was formed in Barcelona, Spain, on Feb. 20. The chairman of the Spanish Association for Friendship with Korea was elected chairman of the committee.
--an interesting account of a visit to P'yongyang
