Cablegate: Media Reaction - North Korea Nuclear Program

VZCZCXYZ0020
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSG #1469 1912044
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 102044Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9557

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001469

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR IIP/G/WHA, INR/R/MR, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, EAP/K

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC CI KN
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - NORTH KOREA NUCLEAR PROGRAM

On July 10, business and financial daily "Diario Financiero" (circ
20,000) carried a column by international analyst Libardo Buitrago
entitled, "What is North Korea Playing?" Quote:

"The North Korean leader Kim Jon II has shown that his hand does not
tremble when it comes to making fearless moves.... Kim's missile
launching was intended to attract attention and force the United
Stated to enter a bilateral dialogue.... North Korea has little
with which to negotiate and not much to lose. It is a win-win
situation for the Communist regime. United States, Russian,
European or Japanese economic sanctions cannot hurt its isolated
economy. Only China could cause some change, but thus far Beijing
has been reluctant to pressure its neighbor. The North Korean
crisis differs from that with Iran. If the issue were taken to the
UNSC, as it should, there would not be two blocs of countries as in
the case of Iran.... This is not a passing crisis. The missiles
are a clear threat for global peace. The point is that the
international community did not focus on this threat."

YAMAUCHI

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