North Korea To Return To Talks?

Monday, May 09, 2005 North Korea To Return To Talks? As North Korean preparations for a nuclear test continue, the DPRK has rewritten history, saying that it never asked Washington for bilateral talks. North Korea has stated that it will return to the six-party talks, following its modus operandi of making provocative gestures (such as launching a missile into the Sea of Japan) and then making nice. Meanwhile, North Korea is filling in a tunnel in the northeast Kilju region, a sign that a nuclear device is now buried deep inside this tunnel. A reviewing stand has also been built at the test site. The AFP further reports: "A military intelligence official also said on condition of anonymity that Kilju was an unlikely test site as it was a well-populated area in which a large number of residents would likely be exposed to fallout." If true, this would be a rare demonstration of concern for its own people by this Stalinist state. I doubt it is a part of North Korea's equation here. 8:32 AM | | |