NKorea Unlikely to Meet Reactor Deadline

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

NKorea Unlikely to Meet Reactor Deadline

By BURT HERMAN

SEOUL, South Korea Apr 13, 2007 (AP)— North Korea appeared
increasingly unlikely to meet a weekend deadline to shut down
its nuclear reactor, saying Friday it was waiting to confirm if
its funds frozen by U.S. sanctions which stalled the
disarmament process were actually now free.

The U.S., South Korea and China said that North Korea has not
withdrawn some $25 million that was unfrozen this week in a
bank in the Chinese territory of Macau. Washington had
blacklisted the Banco Delta Asia in September 2005 for
allegedly helping the North launder money and pass counterfeit
$100 bills.

The North's Foreign Ministry said its intention to implement a
February agreement on initial steps to disarm "remains
unchanged" and that the country "will also move when the
lifting`of the sanction is proved to be a reality."

-snip-

U.S. officials and experts say the process of shutting down a
reactor and having U.N. nuclear inspectors verify it would
probably take several days making it likely that Saturday's
deadline would mark the latest failure in a nuclear standoff
that has lasted more than four years.

-snip-

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=3035143

---

Source: Reuters

N.Korea says to check funds at centre of nuclear deal
Fri Apr 13, 2007 6:57AM BST

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea said on Friday it would check soon
if it can access funds which have been unfrozen at a Macau bank,
but assured that it remained committed to a nuclear disarmament
deal put in jeopardy by the banking wrangle.

Washington has said the $25 million (13 million pounds) of North
Korean funds at Banco Delta Asia (BDA) had been unblocked and
that Pyongyang could now pick up the money.

Pyongyang had insisted the funds must be released before it starts
shutting down its nuclear reactor, which -- under the international
agreement struck in February -- had to take place by April 14.

-snip-

Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKSEO23197520070413

[youngdem]

1. As I suspected (and was obvious to anyone who watches NK), Bill Richardson was used

If he were a serious candidate for President, this would have really embarrassed him. Good for him for trying, but he is going to end up embarrassed by the deal, as NK is just gonna take the cash and stick their middle finger in the air.

They will NEVER give up their nuke plant because it is their goose that lays golden eggs in a country that is desperately poor.