Cia: North Korea Goal Of 2 Nukes A Year

Post-9/11 Era Forum

CIA Report: N. Korea Goal Is Two Nukes a Year
Thu Apr 10, 7:43 PM ET

By Tabassum Zakaria

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - North Korea (news - web sites) early last year appeared to have the goal of building a plant that could produce enough uranium for two or more nuclear weapons a year, a CIA (news - web sites) report said on Thursday.

The semiannual unclassified report to Congress assessed the acquisition of technology related to weapons of mass destruction for various countries during the first half of 2002. It was posted on the CIA's Web site, www.cia.gov.

Since the period covered by the report, a North Korean nuclear crisis has erupted with Pyongyang expelling U.N. arms inspectors, withdrawing from the Non-Proliferation Treaty and restarting a nuclear reactor.

"The United States has remained suspicious that North Korea has been working on uranium enrichment for several years," the CIA report said. "However, we did not obtain clear evidence indicating that North Korea had begun constructing a centrifuge facility until recently," it said.

"North Korea's goal appears to be a plant that could produce enough weapons-grade uranium for two or more nuclear weapons per year when fully operational," the report said.

The CIA has at other times said that North Korea probably already has one or two nuclear weapons.

The report repeated U.S. intelligence assertions that North Korea has a Taepodong-2 ballistic missile capable of reaching parts of the United States with a nuclear weapon that may be ready for flight-testing.

North Korea was believed to have a "sizable stockpile" of chemical weapons and could weaponize biological warfare agents "and may have such weapons available for use," it said.

IRAN WEAPONS

The United States was convinced that Iran was pursuing a nuclear weapons program, the CIA assessment for early last year said. "We suspect that Tehran is interested in acquiring foreign fissile material and technology for weapons development as part of its overall nuclear weapons program," it said.

Russia has provided expertise and assistance to help Iran develop a nuclear technology infrastructure, the report said.

Iran sought chemicals and technology and expertise from Chinese entities that could further its efforts to produce nerve agents, the report said.

"Iran already has stockpiled blister, blood, and choking agents -- and the bombs and artillery shells to deliver them -- which it previously has manufactured. It probably also has made some nerve agents," the report said.

Iran "probably" has a biological warfare program, the report said. "It is likely that Iran has capabilities to produce small quantities of BW agents, but has a limited ability to weaponize them," the report said.

The United States has dubbed North Korea, Iran and Iraq (news - web sites) as members of an "axis of evil."

The lengthiest section was on Iraq's suspected weapons programs, but that issue has been overtaken by events given the current U.S. war against Baghdad that appears to have toppled the old government.

The main reason given by the United States for the war against Iraq was that Baghdad was allegedly hiding nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs. So far there is no confirmation that any such programs have been uncovered by U.S. troops.



The threat of terrorists using chemical, biological and nuclear materials continued to rise, said the report, which covered the period shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that the United States has blamed on the al Qaeda network.

But "terrorists" would probably continue to favor conventional tactics such as bombings and shootings, it said.

"We assess that terrorist groups are capable of conducting attacks using radiological dispersal devices," the report said, referring to so-called dirty bombs.

"In addition, we must be alert to the possibility that al Qaeda or other terrorist groups might also try to launch conventional attacks against the chemical or nuclear industrial infrastructure of the United States to cause panic and economic disruption," the report said.

N Korea 'ready for war'

Mr Kim told pilots that he was glad to see them ready to "beat back enemies whenever they challenge", official radio reported.

North Korea is thought to be worried that it will be the United States next military target after Iraq, after both counties were labelled by US President George W Bush as part of an "axis of evil".

Mr Kim's visit came as a senior North Korean diplomat said the outcome of the war in Iraq had made his country determined to defend itself against a possible US attack.

South Korea and Russia both made fresh moves on Friday to guard against the crisis on the Korean peninsula escalating further.

South Korea launched a stealth warship capable of electronic spying on the North, while a senior Russian diplomat said Moscow needed to consider extra defence measures.

Mr Han added that the US could "expect many positive steps from North Korea in resolving nuclear problems" if it accepted its offer for bilateral talks.

But Washington wants multilateral talks, which would also include China, Russia, South Korea and Japan.

Several of North Korea's neighbours are working behind the scenes to try and find a solution to the impasse.

On alert

At the same time, they are mindful of their own security.

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, Alexander Losyukov, said on Friday: "We are forced to think about preventive measures to defend our national interests and - why hide it - to defend our population on territories bordering on Korea in case of a serious conflict in the region," Interfax news agency reported.

In South Korea, President Roh Moo-hyun attended the launch of the country's most advanced warship, equipped for electronic monitoring, and anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare.

The crisis on the Korean peninsula began when the US said in October that North Korea had admitted to a secretive enriched uranium programme.

In a report predating the crisis, released on Thursday, the American CIA said it had been suspicious that this was the case for several years.

The unclassified report to Congress, which assessed the situation in North Korea during the first half of 2002, said that Pyongyang appeared to be aiming to build a plant that could produce enough uranium for two or more nuclear weapons a year.

Where do you stand on these statements?, Do you feel these nations should not be permitted to provide significant defense systems for their respective peoples?, particularily when the US is involved in a pro-active defense/attack stance and openly threatening the peace of these nations.

Any leader with any thought of future self preservation now knows they must quickly get nuclear weapons and convince the world they will use them.

North Korea has already launched a couple of long-range missiles into the sea close to Japan - a warning to American to back off.

India is diping it's toe into America's newly created pre-emptive strike stratedgy over Pakistan's support for terrorism. Tough call who America will support if that one kicks off - democratic India or US friendly dictatorship Pakistan.

But on the bright side, Bush is up for election next year and if anyone can stop him rigging the ballet he should get kicked out.

The day a country like North Korea gets nuclear weapons will be a sad day for the world. It's not America I feel sorry for, they can defend themselves but the people of Southeast Asia who will now live under the spectre fo nuclear holocaust by an unpredictable rogue state.

MikeXXL, you are a little bit too late, they already have it .... and they seems to think about U.S. of A. and not Southeast Asia ....

And about weapons, WMD, .... just one question: why only the 5 U.N.S.C. permanent members can have them ? (devil's advocate ... ) especialy when 4 of them signed treaties to reduce and stop biological, chemicals, land mines, ......


Which one didn't signed ?

Another reason I was against this Iraq war

"This war will send countries into an arms race, especially nuclear
for now a majority of countries now perceive the USA as a imminent threat for the future" - search4truth

These are the countries at the moment who have already started preparing for a US war

North Korea, Iran, Syria, China

I can guarantee there are many more, but these are the countries I am aware of that have already started gearing up

George Bush is taking the world on a path, to a future of destruction