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April 9, 2007
Something is happening here, and we clearly have no clue what it is
North Korea is once again balking at shutting down its nuclear program because of some "technicality" related to the release of $25 million stuck in a Macao bank. (CNA) This has been going on for some time now with no resolution.
The US point man on North Korea said on Monday it was uncertain whether a banking row could be resolved in time to meet this week's deadline in a breakthrough aid-for-disarmament deal.
Envoy Christopher Hill started a three-nation regional tour amid intense US diplomacy ahead of Saturday's deadline, which Japan and China have both publicly doubted can be met.
North Korea pledged in a six-nation deal in February to shut down its key Yongbyon nuclear facility and allow the return of UN nuclear inspectors by April 14 in return for badly needed fuel aid.
But the communist state has refused to move until it receives US$25 million of its money which was unfrozen from a Macau bank but has taken time to work its way to Pyongyang.
I know that the money came from illegal North Korean operations, or at least that is what the West contends. The thing I don't understand is why let a small sum of $25 million hold up the nuclear deal? I think there is much more going on than we are being told (once again).
Posted by Chip Spear at April 9, 2007 7:56 PM