Harsh rhetoric raising tension over N. Korea (amazing *Co quotes)

[UpInArms]

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/11559250.htm

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Tension is rising in the diplomatic stalemate over North Korea's nuclear program.

At his press conference last week, President Bush excoriated North Korean leader Kim Jong Il as a ``dangerous person . . . who starves his people'' and has set up ``huge concentration camps.'' The president reiterated his commitment to the stalled Chinese-sponsored six-party talks on this issue, but he again ruled out sitting down directly with the North Koreans.

The North Korean government retaliated, calling Bush ``a hooligan bereft of any personality as a human being.'' There will be no solution until Bush leaves office, the statement declared.

The exchange was followed by a North Korean test of a short-range missile Sunday, the first since 2003, apparently intended to send a message to Washington. The U.S. government has expressed concerns that North Korea may be preparing to test a nuclear weapon.

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