NORTH KOREA

The Flight That Wasn’t

 
 
 

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Only weeks before dropping North Korea from an official U.S. blacklist of countries that support terrorism, the Bush administration apparently thwarted the transfer of missile parts (possibly including gyroscopes for guidance systems) from Pyongyang to Iran, U.S. officials tell NEWSWEEK. On Aug. 4, an Ilyushin aircraft operated by North Korea's state airline was granted routine permission by India to fly from Burma to Tehran via Indian airspace. Three days later, the office of India's prime minister "hurriedly" asked authorities to withdraw clearance, according to the Indian Express newspaper. Two U.S. officials, who asked for anonymity when discussing sensitive information, confirm the Bush administration asked India to block the flight.

The State Department formally dropped North Korea from its terror watch list in October, when Pyongyang agreed to disable nuclear-related facilities. But that process has moved slowly amid continuing reports of disarray in North Korea's secretive leadership. Officials in Japan and South Korea have publicly claimed that back in August the country's 66-year-old leader, Kim Jong Il, suffered a stroke. U.S. officials believe the most recent photos showing Kim at a soccer match indicate he is not near death.

When the "Dear Leader" finally does depart the scene, U.S. officials believe, he will most likely be succeeded by a collective of bureaucrats, military commanders and Communist Party functionaries, as well as at least a token member of Kim's family, most likely Chang Song Taek, a senior party official who is married to Kim's favorite sister.

© 2008

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  • Posted By: fzareey @ 12/01/2008 7:43:07 AM

    All the uncertainty, worries, unhappiness of human societies are based on injustice that have been afflicting our small home called Earth and engulf all the members of that family, the human race. ???The well being of mankind its peace and security are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established."
    Simply that unity can only happen through Justice and fairness in all levels of human affairs. We are all one organic body society.
    The leaders are engaged in more corruption, arrogant behaviors, madness, and above all their life style and their actions are no different than the Gangsters and mobs with more destructive powers. Soon not only these corrupt nations will pay a heavy prices for their immaturity, but will bring the greatest pain and suffering to the people in their nations. The door of Hell (ungodliness and unbelief, unfaithful, untrustworthy, injustices, madness, arrogances, drugs, alcohols, vainglory, prejudices, corruptions, suicides, etc............) has been opened for so long, if our so-called civilized and mature leaders cannot see what has been happening with our world so far, can they see what is going to take place in the near future?
    All these nukes and all the dangerous conventional weapons, being used and will be used by some mad leaders specially the nations that call themselves, powerful and civilized, which in reality are in the depth of ignorance, even they can not see their own best interest, soon or a later many of major cities in the world will no doubt be evaporated, In only such a devastating time these ignorant leaders may wake up and realize that for such a long time they have wasted not only their life, but the life of billions.
    ???He who is your Lord, the All ???Merciful, cherisheth in his heart the desire of beholding the entire human race as one soul and one body. Haste Ye to win your share of God???s good Grace and mercy in this day that eclipseth all other created Days.???

  • Posted By: rupturedvein@hotmail.com @ 11/27/2008 10:22:09 PM

    north korea and its savage deprivatin of its citizens, millions starved to death, is thanks to CHinese intervention into the Korean War. Thank you China. Great job you did! Norht korea turned out SO MUCH BETTER THAN SOUTH KOREA DIDNT IT?!!?!?!? DIDNT IT?!?!!? HONORLESS SWINE ANSWER THE QUESTION!!!!!!!!! U.S. is the ONLY country to devote a huge portion of its resources to helping the world. ONLY ONE. Majority of propserous govts are based on our democratic ideals, capitalism based on our model, technology the majority of which was invented in democratic societies supported by the U.S. The end of the majortiy of YOUR societies was thwarted through OUR blood and sweat, and yet you all continue to mock the u.s. personally, I say nuke ever non-democratic society left on the planet. Im tired of your ingorrance, your dishonor, your freakin HELPLESSNESS to better your OWN people's lives ON YOUR OWN.

  • Posted By: emperorhadel_raptor22 @ 11/26/2008 9:32:59 PM

    And depraved savages? so u telling me ur insulting everyone who isnt from the U.S....not a wise decision i tell u, its one of u, and about 6.5 billion of us....besides, if u got no allies anywhere, how u suppose to dominate others? lol?

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