What Are North Koreans Up To? U.S. Intelligence Agencies Can't Agree

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/12/politics/12intel.html?hp&ex=1115956800&en=4a1c69320964a54a&ei=5094&partner=homepage

WASHINGTON, May 11 - America's intelligence agencies often struggle to reach consensus on what is happening in the intelligence black hole of North Korea. That has been particularly true in the past month, as officials examine satellite images suggesting that something suspicious is happening in the mountains near the town of Kilju, on the country's northeast coast.

To some, including several North Korea experts who have served across a number of administrations, the activity is the latest sign that North Korea may be preparing for its first test of a nuclear weapon.

The new American ambassador to Japan, J. Thomas Schieffer, seemed to suggest as much when he told a group of Japanese lawmakers that "I believe they have taken some preparatory steps" for a test, as an embassy spokesman quoted him saying. Japanese officials quoted Mr. Schieffer as calling a test highly likely, according to Kyodo, a Japanese news agency - a view held by some North Korea experts in Washington.

But the State Department spokesman, Richard A. Boucher, asked if this confirmed that North Korea had indeed taken the first steps toward a test, replied, "I wouldn't quite read as much into his statements as you do."

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[slackmaster]

1. We should ignore NK and let its government shoot itself in the foot

If they want to screw with nukes (or pretend they are screwing with nukes) instead of taking care of their own people, eventually the people will figure out what's going on and do something about it.

[tk2kewl]

2. When is bush gonna tell the intelligence agencies what NK is up to?

[harpo]

3. I was thinking the same thing

[hang a left]

4. I think something could be up

I have posted this is three other NK threads and not had anyone respond.


http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20050506-10...

SAN DIEGO – The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Nimitz, and its 6,200-sailor strike group, are scheduled to depart San Diego tomorrow for a six-month deployment to the Central and Western Pacific.
The Nimitz and the guided-missile cruiser Princeton are scheduled to begin departing San Diego Bay at about 9 a.m., according to the U.S. Navy.



The ships will be joined in the Pacific by the guided-missile destroyers Higgins and Chafee, the fast combat support ship Bridge and the Los Angeles- class attack submarine Louisville.

All of the ships in the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group are homeported in San Diego, with the exception of the Chafee and Louisville, which are both based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Higgins left San Diego today.

The Nimitz, which was commissioned in 1975, returned from its last deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

[NNN0LHI]

5. I have not responded to it because there is no military option available

I don't think the USA is willing to sacrifice Seoul to bomb North Korea. I know the South Koreans wouldn't be very happy with the idea. The only options appear to be make some kind of deal with NKorea or let them join the nuclear club. Thats about it.

Don