Report: N. Korea Could Be Developing Nuclear Warheads
VOA News
01 Jul 2003, 07:35 UTC
The New York Times is reporting U.S. intelligence officials believe North Korea is developing the technology to make small nuclear warheads. The newspaper quotes senior officials as saying the Central Intelligence Agency has identified a nuclear testing site in North Korea.
The report says some officials believe the site is evidence that Pyongyang is learning to develop a warhead small enough to fit on top of a missile. North Korea is believed never to have tested a nuclear weapon.
A U.S. Congressman who visited North Korea in May has proposed a plan to try to end the North Korean nuclear crisis. But the proposal has drawn a cool response from the Bush administration.
The proposal by Pennsylvania's Curt Weldon includes U.S. recognition of the North Korean government and economic aid to Pyongyang. In return, North Korea would renounce its nuclear ambitions and allow full nuclear inspections.
The U.S. State Department dismissed the proposal, saying North Korea would not be rewarded for ignoring its international obligations. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher also repeated the Bush administration's commitment to a peaceful settlement of the crisis through multi-lateral talks.
Tuesday, North Korea again warned it will retaliate if the United States and its allies impose sanctions or a blockade against Pyongyang. In a statement carried by North Korean state-run media, Pyongyang again threatened to abandon the 1953 armistice that ended the Korean War.
Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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