The Hindu : Proof of proliferation, says U.S.

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 12, 2002

International

International

Proof of proliferation, says U.S.

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE Dec. 11. The interception of a North Korean ship laden with Scud missiles in the Arabian Sea is proof of the Stalinist state's agenda of proliferation, according to the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Richard Armitage, who is at present engaged in a diplomatic swing through some sensitive Asia-Pacific countries in Pyongyang's neighbourhood.

Mr. Armitage, who is now in China, however, has not indicated how the episode might shape any aspect of America's current efforts to tame North Korea by means other than those being contemplated to bring Iraq to book as regards the "anti-proliferation" and "anti-terrorism" goals.

In remarks to the press on his arrival in Beijing on Wednesday from Seoul, Mr. Armitage drew attention to the views already articulated by the U.S. President's National Security Adviser, Condoleezza Rice, about North Korea's proliferation tendencies.

The interception of the North Korean vessel, So San, by Spanish warships underlined the American assessment of Pyongyang as a proliferator, Mr. Armitage said. But he did not signal any get-tough approach towards North Korea in the context of this episode.

The question of North Korea in all its ramifications is, however, high on his mind during his visit to North-East Asia, although Washington's more urgent preoccupation with Iraq appears to rank higher than Pyongyang's perceived lack of restraint.

Moreover, the finer details of the suspected North Korean exercise in gunboat shipping are not yet known for any definitive evaluation by the international community.

While Mr. Armitage's visit to China at this time acquires importance in the context of the recent political changes in Beijing and the high-profile Sino-Russian summitry a few days ago, his discussions with the South Korean authorities in Seoul on Tuesday were not only overshadowed but also subsumed by the popular sentiments there against America's perceived arrogance.

In Japan, where too North Korea is an issue next only to Iraq, Mr. Armitage appeared to have addressed Tokyo's changing attitude of activism in the global campaign against terrorism, without any departure from the existing prohibitions against offensive deployment of the Japanese defence forces.

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