North Korea's Kim basks in birthday, nuclear glory - Got his nukes and $$$$ from Bush

[NNN0LHI]

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/2/16/worldupdates/2007-02-16T153217Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_-288000-1&sec=Worldupdates

SEOUL (Reuters) - Singing soldiers and flower shows marked the birthday of the man dubbed North Korea's "invincible brilliant commander" by state media, as regional powers wondered whether he would abide by a nuclear deal.

The communist world's first dynastic leader, Kim Jong-il, 65, is the unchallenged head of the reclusive state whose economy has fallen deeper into poverty during his years in power.

North Korea reached a deal earlier this week to shut down its sole nuclear reactor in exchange for energy aid as well as other economic and diplomatic incentives if Kim decides to scrap his country's nuclear arms programme.

"I find it difficult to believe that this is a strategic decision to dismantle its nukes. I see this as a tactical way of getting the heat off, getting concessions and keeping the Chinese happy," said Michael Breen, Seoul-based consultant and author of "Kim Jong-il: North Korea's Dear Leader".

With nuclear weapons, impoverished North Korea gets a seat at the table with global powers including the United States -- the nation it argues is trying to topple it and causes it to sacrifice so much to maintain its 1.2-million man military.

Without nuclear arms, North Korea is just a poor country with failed economic policies, analysts said.

[rkc3]

1. Has anyone compared these concessions to those made by the

Clinton administration?

[NNN0LHI]

2. I did. Under Clinton no NKorean nukes built or tested. Under Bush nukes built and tested

There you go.

Don