A large mushroom cloud explosion in North Korea on Thursday was reportedly not a nuclear explosion.
Yahoo AP
A huge mushroom cloud that reportedly billowed up from North Korea was not caused by a nuclear explosion, South Korean and U.S. officials said Sunday, but they said the cause was a mystery.
Secretary of State Colin Powell confirmed that unusual activity had recently been detected at some of North Korea's atomic sites, but said there was no concrete evidence the North's secretive communist regime was preparing for its first nuclear test explosion.
"There was no indication that was a nuclear event of any kind," Powell said of Thursday's incident. "Exactly what it was, we're not sure."
...
"North Korea is looking for assurances that we're not going to invade it, (that) we have no hostile intent," Powell said. "They're looking for benefits for giving up their nuclear capability and their nuclear infrastructure. And what we're debating is what will it take to give them the assurances they need and what benefits would they expect over the long haul."
Yeah right, I don't believe that for a second. North Korea knows that if it can develop a nuclear weapon and test it that they'll be in a more powerful negotiating position. Kim Jong Il is not a stupid man, maybe a funny looking man, but not a stupid one.
I discussed North Korea in my May 11, 2003 entry. This is very dangerous and if we allow them to get nukes we are going to be in a very dangerous situation in this world. Not only will we have to worry about North Korea, but those that North Korea may help develop or sell the weapons to.
Blogosphere Exploded, with lots of reaction (links open in new window)
| Slant Point |
Backcountry Conservative |
Passionate America |
Blogs of War |
Say Anything |
Captains Quarters |
Wizbang! |
Drumwasters Rants |
Winds Of Change |
Twenty First Century Republican |
Right on Red |
The American Mind |
Garfield Ridge |
California Yankee |
The Slithery D |
Flying Yangban |
christian grantham |
Allah Pundit |
Stones Cry Out |
Rooftop Report |
In The Bullpen |
The Baby Seal Club |
One Fine Jay |
The Command Post, has three entries on the blast.
| Blast, Mushroom Cloud Reported in N. Korea |
North Korean Explosion Not Nuclear |
North Korea "Blast" Updates [Updated] |
Update:
According to North Korea in this
BBC article the explosion last week was to demolish a mountain for a hydro-electric project.
[the] remarks came in response to a call for information by the visiting UK Foreign Office minister, Bill Rammell.
After meeting with Mr Paek, Mr Rammell urged North Korea to allow a British diplomat to inspect the scene.
"But if they are going to be open and engage with the international community, what we really need is diplomats to be able to go to the area and confirm for themselves that that is the case," Mr Rammell said.
The North Koreans have promised to consider the request, he said.
We'll see if they allow them to visit the area and what they find there.
Hat tip: The Command Post and Slant Point
