Iraq war shows deterrent need, says N Korea

By Andrew Ward in Seoul
Published: April 6 2003 18:30 | Last Updated: April 6 2003 18:30

North Korea said on Sunday the war in Iraq proved that only by building a powerful military deterrent could the communist state protect itself against the US.

Pyongyang said Iraq's fate showed that bowing to Washington's demands for weapons inspections and disarmament increased the chances of attack by the US.

The comments underlined North Korea's fear that it could be the next part of President George W. Bush's "axis of evil" to be invaded.

Analysts have warned that war in Iraq could encourage North Korea to accelerate its nuclear weapons programme, calculating that weapons of mass destruction would deter the US from attacking.

"The Iraqi war shows that to allow disarming through inspection does not help avert a war but rather sparks it," said North Korea's foreign ministry in a statement. "[Only] tremendous military deterrent force powerful enough to decisively beat back an attack . . . can avert a war and protect the security of the country."

In a toughening of rhetoric, Pyongyang said a non-aggression pact with the US might no longer be sufficient to resolve its dispute with Washington peacefully.

North Korea had previously insisted it would abandon its nuclear ambitions if the US promised not to attack. But yesterday it said Washington's invasion of Iraq cast doubt on whether the US could be trusted.

"Even the signing of a non-aggression treaty with the US would not help avert a war," said the statement. Pyongyang's comments came ahead of Wednesday's meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss North Korea. The Council is expected to issue a statement criticising North Korea's withdrawal from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and demanding a halt to its nuclear programme.

North Korea said UN involvement was a "grave provocation", arguing that Iraq's experience showed Security Council action was "a prelude to war". If taken at face value, North Korea's bellicose statement would set back hopes of a peaceful settlement to its stand-off with the US.

But diplomats said the tough language could be brinkmanship designed to strengthen North Korea's bargaining position and counter the perception that the state had recently been softening its stance.

"During past negotiations, North Korea's toughest rhetoric and most aggressive behaviour has come shortly before the deal, as it attempts to extract the best terms," said one senior western diplomat in Seoul.

Feverish diplomacy is under way to find a peaceful solution to the crisis, which started last October, when the US accused North Korea of secretly developing nuclear bombs.

The senior western diplomat said the long-established channel of communication between US and North Korean officials through the UN in New York "remained open". He also said China was becoming more proactive in putting pressure on North Korea.

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