starsiege

a move on taiwan maybe?

lemontree

Sir,
After the first Pak test turned to be a dud, it is reported that the Chinese sent them a couple of their own nuke to avoid embaressment. Along with these Chinese nukes, a N. Korean nuke was also "tested".

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Cheers!...on the rocks!!

lemontree

Something that they want hidden from world view, till the last moment.

starsiege

i heard that too.

Ironduke

North Korea claims nuclear test.

North Korea says it has carried out its first test of a nuclear weapon, the state news agency (KCNA) has reported.

It said the underground test, carried out in defiance of international warnings, was a success and had not resulted in any leak of radiation.

The White House said South Korean and US intelligence had detected a seismic event at a suspected test site.

The White House said the reported test was a "provocative act", while China denounced it as "brazen"..

In an unusually strong statement against its ally, China expressed its "resolute opposition" to the claimed test and said it "defied the universal opposition of international society".

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is in Seoul for a meeting with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, said the test was "unpardonable".

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said Japan had detected seismic waves, but could not confirm whether they were from a nuclear test.

South Korea said it would "sternly respond".

President Roh has called an emergency meeting of South Korea's National Security Council and put the armed forces on a heightened state of alert.

Seoul also suspended a scheduled aid shipment to North Korea, the state news agency reported.

US White House spokesman Tony Snow said: "We expect the UN Security Council to take immediate actions to respond to this unprovoked act."

'Historic event'

When it announced the test, KCNA described it as an "historic event that brought happiness to our military and people".

"The nuclear test will contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and surrounding region," KCNA said.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency reports that the test took place in Gilju in Hamgyong province at 1036 (0136 GMT).

The BBC's Jonathan Marcus says North Korea's claimed test does not necessarily mean it has a fully-fledged nuclear bomb or warhead that it can deliver to a target.

But the demonstration of North Korea's capability is what will shake-up the geo-politics of the region, he says.

Our correspondent says there will now be pressure on the UN Security Council to push for a resolution condemning North Korea and probably demanding a stiff menu of economic sanctions.

The Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers have held a telephone conference call with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to discuss the issue, South Korea's foreign ministry said.

The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Beijing says China's statement is an indication of how strongly it is angered by North Korea's action, although Beijing will still be loath to support tougher sanctions against Pyongyang.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6032525.stm

Ironduke

Text of N Korea's announcement

The following is the full text of the announcement carried on North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency as reported on the Reuters news agency:


"The field of scientific research in the DPRK (North Korea) successfully conducted an underground nuclear test under secure conditions on October 9, Juche 95 (2006) at a stirring time when all the people of the country are making a great leap forward in the building of a great, prosperous, powerful socialist nation.

"It has been confirmed that there was no such danger as radioactive emission in the course of the nuclear test as it was carried out under a scientific consideration and careful calculation.

"The nuclear test was conducted with indigenous wisdom and technology 100%. It marks a historic event as it greatly encouraged and pleased the KPA (Korean People's Army) and people that have wished to have powerful self-reliant defence capability.

"It will contribute to defending the peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in the area around it."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6032597.stm

Ironduke

Shock waves from N Korean test

The seismic evidence is still being analysed, but North Korea's announcement is already prompting shock waves around the region.

The priority now will be to manage the initial consequences of the North Korean announcement - to ensure the understandable tensions do not prompt some sort of military incident and, above all, to frame a firm and coherent diplomatic response.

The North Korean move comes against a chorus of voices - both in Asia and beyond - urging it not to go down this path.

Only last week, the UN Security Council warned that a test would "jeopardise peace, stability and security in the region and beyond".

The focus of any diplomatic response will again be the UN Security Council.

There will be pressure to push for a new resolution condemning the North Korean government and probably demanding a stiff menu of economic sanctions against Pyongyang.

North Korea is of course already one of the most isolated countries in the world.

China remains its critical economic life-line, and while Beijing is far from happy with North Korea's behaviour it will not want to precipitate turmoil in the country that could prompt the collapse of the regime.

But the ramifications of this event go well beyond North Korea.

Arms control experts fear that other countries in the region might now consider developing nuclear weapons programmes of their own.

And if Asia succumbs to a new nuclear arms race the whole flimsy fabric of the nuclear non-proliferation regime could collapse with consequences not just in Asia, but in the Middle East and elsewhere.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6032713.stm

Ironduke

Markets fall after N Korean test

European share indexes have fallen in early trade, echoing Far Eastern declines after North Korea said it had carried out a nuclear weapon test.

Following Pyongyang's announcement, Frankfurt's Dax started down 19 points, while Paris' Cac gave up 18 points and London's FTSE 100 lost 2 points.

The declines were more severe in Asia, where South Korea's main Kospi ended the day down 33 points or 2.4%.

Although Japan's markets were closed on Monday, the yen hit a seven-month low.

'Further reactions'

North Korea's test came in defiance of international protests including strong warnings from both China and Japan.

Analyst Jackson Wong, an investment manager at Tanrich Securities in Hong Kong, said stocks were down "as investors were worried that political tensions will trigger a sell down in Asian markets".

"Trade in coming days will likely depend on North Korea's further actions regarding the test and how countries like the US react to North Korea's move," he added.

Mr Wong said a key test will be how Japan's Nikkei reacts when it reopens on Tuesday.

Fellow Hong Kong-based analyst, Wang Qing, an economist at Bank of America, agreed that the continuing reaction of Far Eastern markets would depend upon the response of the international community.

"The economy of North Korea is virtually closed from the rest of the world and its regional impact won't be very significant unless there was a major military confrontation," he said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6032605.stm

Ironduke

Blair condemns North Korean test

Tony Blair has condemned North Korea's apparent first nuclear weapons test as a "completely irresponsible act".

The prime minister also said the test, reportedly held at 0236 BST, showed the country's "disregard" for the international community's concerns.

Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said she was "horrified" by the news.

North Korea has called the underground test a success. Seismic events at a suspected test site were detected by both the US and South Korea.

'Act of defiance'

Mr Blair said: "I condemn this completely irresponsible act by the government of the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea).

"The international community has repeatedly urged them to refrain from both missile testing and nuclear testing.

"This further act of defiance shows North Korea's disregard for the concerns of its neighbours and the wider international community."

Mrs Beckett told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Like everyone else, we are horrified. We are having to check, of course, if we take this announcement at face value.

"It does look like a very deliberate and flagrant provocation.

"I understand that there is a strong response from the Chinese. We are particularly concerned about the impact in the neighbourhood and in the region."

Mrs Beckett said it was difficult to know how to handle an issue such as this without making matters worse.

Iraq reaction?

"I think the international community will have to take very, very careful stock," she said.

"This is very difficult for the neighbourhood, it's very difficult for the region, and what we don't want is to see something happen that will make things even worse and more dangerous than they already are."

Mrs Beckett rejected suggestions North Korea's actions had anything to do with military action against Iraq or that Britain's moral authority had been weakened by the Iraq war.

"I don't think that is the case," she said. "After all, it's quite a considerable time now since that happened and there are much more current United Nations statements, resolutions and so on."

The Foreign Office said the international community would react "robustly" to the test.

A spokesman added: "This nuclear test is viewed by the UK, and will be viewed by the rest of the international community, as a highly provocative act to which we will respond robustly.

"It will raise tensions in an already tense region and have repercussions internationally."

A White House statement said such a test would be a "provocative act", while China denounced it as "brazen".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6032811.stm

Ironduke

Chinese government in firm opposition to DPRK nuclear test

The Foreign Ministry of the People's Republic of China issued a statement on a nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, with its full text as follows:

The statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China (PRC)

October 9, 2006

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) outrageously conducted a nuclear test on October 9th in defiance of unanimous opposition from the international community, and the Chinese government voices its firm opposition to the test.

It is the Chinese government's unswerving and consistent position to enable the (Korean) Peninsula to go nuclear-free and oppose nuclear proliferation. The Chinese side strongly demands the DPRK side abide by its commitment to going nuclear free, halt all the activities that will possibly lead to the further deterioration of the situation and once again return to the track of the Six-Party talks.

The maintenance of peace and stability in the Northeast Asia region conforms to the common interests of all the parties concerned. The Chinese government appeal to all the parties concerned to respond calmly and persevere in settling the issue peacefully through consultations and dialogues. And the Chinese side will continue to make its unremitting efforts to this end.

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/20...09_310158.html

Officer of Engineers

It was a suspicion with no foundation in factual support. As I stated, the Los Alamos Laboratories have confirmed all nuclear materials as to be Pakistani in origin. If the Chinese had sent them a couple of nukes, those would have had been made with Pakistani Uranium and the Chinese have stopped using Uranium decades ago.

The only "descrepency" to creep in was the detection of plutonium in ONE air sample which originally was suspected to be from either China or North Korea. However, it has since been determined that the Pu came from Pakistan.

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Chimo

Officer of Engineers

And if this was a nuke, it was a dud

October 9, 2006
North Korea says it performed first-ever successful nuclear test
By BURT HERMAN


In a file photo North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, left, and South Korean President Kim Dae-jung walk along a red carpet as Kim Dae-jung arrives at the Sunan International Airport in Pyongyang Tuesday June 13, 2000. North Korea said Monday, Oct. 9, 2006, it has performed its first-ever nuclear weapons test, setting off an underground blast in defiance of international warnings and intense diplomatic activity aimed at heading off such a move. (AP Photo/Yonhap/POOL)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea said Monday it performed its first-ever nuclear weapons test, claiming it detonated a successful underground blast in a "great leap forward" that defied international warnings against the communist regime.

The reported nuclear test sparked condemnation from regional powers who said it could seriously destabilize the region, with even Pyongyang's ally China saying it resolutely opposed the move. The United States called for immediate UN Security Council action, and along with Japan was expected to press for more sanctions on the impoverished North.

The North's official Korean Central News Agency said the underground test was performed successfully "with indigenous wisdom and technology 100 per cent," and that no radiation leaked from that test site.

"It marks a historic event as it greatly encouraged and pleased the (Korean People's Army) and people that have wished to have powerful self-reliant defence capability," KCNA said, adding this was "a stirring time when all the people of the country are making a great leap forward in the building of a great prosperous powerful socialist nation."

If the test is confirmed, North Korea would be the ninth country known to have nuclear weapons, along with the United States, Russia, France, China, Britain, India, Pakistan and Israel.

A nuclear North Korea would dramatically alter the strategic balance of power in the Pacific region and seriously undermine global anti-proliferation efforts.

Australia and South Korea said there was seismic confirmation that pointed to a nuclear test, and a top Russian military officer confirmed the device tested was a nuclear weapon, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported. However, Japan and the United States said they couldn't immediately confirm a test.

South Korea's seismic monitoring centre said a magnitude 3.6 tremor felt at the time of alleged North Korea nuclear test wasn't a natural occurrence.

The size of the tremor could indicate an explosive equivalent to 550 tonnes of TNT, said Park Chang-soo, spokesman at the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources - which would be far smaller than the nuclear bombs the U.S. dropped on Japan during the Second World War.

The atomic bomb that struck Hiroshima, Japan on Aug. 6, 1945, had the destructive power of about 15,000 tonnes of TNT.

The U.S. Geological Survey said it recorded a seismic event with a preliminary magnitude of 4.2 in northeastern North Korea coinciding with the announced test. The Colorado-based agency was unable to tell whether the event was the result of an atomic explosion or a natural earthquake, USGS official Bruce Presgrave said.

The White House said a test defied world opinion against it.

"A North Korean nuclear test would constitute a provocative act in defiance of the will of the international community and of our call to refrain from actions that would aggravate tensions in Northeast Asia," White House spokesman Tony Snow said.

"We expect the UN Security Council to take immediate actions to respond to this unprovoked act," Snow said. "The United States is closely monitoring the situation and reaffirms its commitment to protect and defend our allies in the region."

Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair said the test was a "completely irresponsible act," and its Foreign Ministry warned of international repercussions.

A Security Council resolution adopted in July after a series of North Korean missile launches imposed limited sanctions on North Korea and demanded the country rejoin international nuclear talks. The North immediately rejected the plea.

South Korea's Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon was expected later Monday to be nominated as the next secretary-general of the United Nations by the Security Council. Ban has said he would use the post, which he would assume at the end of the year, to press for a resolution of the North Korean nuclear standoff.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in Seoul for a summit meeting, said the test had yet to be confirmed but that it would call for a "calm yet stern response."

On Sunday in Beijing, Abe and Chinese President Hu Jintao had pledged to work together to avert a North Korean test.

China, the North's closest ally, said on Monday that Beijing "resolutely opposes" the North Korean nuclear test and hopes Pyongyang will return to disarmament talks.

South Korean presidential spokesman Yoon Tae-young said: "Our government will sternly react under the principle that it cannot tolerate the North's possession of nuclear weapons."

The two Koreas, which fought a 1950-53 war that ended in a ceasefire that has yet to be replaced with peace treaty, are divided by the world's most heavily armed border. However, they have made unprecedented strides toward reconciliation since their leaders met at their first-and-only summit in 2000.

South Korea's Defence Ministry said the alert level of the military had been raised in response to the claimed nuclear test, but that it noticed no unusual activity among North Korea's troops.

The repercussions of North Korea's announcement also were felt in financial markets, sparking plunges in South Korea's stocks and its currency, the won.

lemontree

It was reported that the Pakistani-North Korean trade off was nuke design for missile technology. If the N. Koreans are using a Pak design and its still a dud 7 years after the 1998 tests - what does this mean? What do the international nuke experts have to say about the N. Korean nukes?
Sir,
My knowledge is based on links you or some else had provided months ago. I am just going by what I think I remember on this topic.

Shek

I just saw that. Thanks. Now I'll actually believe the announcement.

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"So little pains do the vulgar take in the investigation of truth, accepting readily the first story that comes to hand." Thucydides 1.20.3

BenRoethig

If this is true, North Korea has just created the Asian cold war. China needs to decide whose side they're on and fast. Expect the last of the WWII blocks to be lifted from Japan.

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F/A-18E/F Super Hornet: The Honda Accord of fighters.