Nicholas Favret, Open Source North Korean Intelligence Analyst, BAH
North Korea – United States Intelligence Summary
30 Oct – 5 Nov 2006
Russia Believes DPRK should be a Nuclear Free Zone
5 Oct 2006
Itar-Tass (Beijing, China) — Russia has recently stated that the DPRK should be a nuclear-free zone. This statement came from Vice-premier Alexander Zhukov.
Source: http://www.tass.ru/eng/level2.html?NewsID=10956915&PageNum=0 (Reliability: 6)
Analysis: Russia continues to publicly make stances which align with Western thoughts. Russia, as a traditional ally to the DPRK has shown more neutral DPRK tendencies in the public realm, in the UN and within the 6 party talks.
(Analytic Confidence: 6)
U.S. Bolstering Forces in Asia, Prepping for Fast Attack of DPRK Nuclear Facilities
03 Nov 2006
The Washington Times (Washington, DC) — U.S. defense officials have stated that the U.S. is bolstering defenses (capability) in the Asian region, and is also stepped up planning for attacks against the DPRK. The U.S. indicated it would use whatever weaponry necessary to defend South Korea and Japan, including the potential use of nuclear weapons.
Source: http://www.washtimes.com/national/20061103-122702-4895r.htm/ (Reliability: 7)
Analysis: The primary target currently outlined by the United States is the Yongbyon nuclear processing facility (as shown above in photo which is courtesy of Google Earth). This facility is vital to the DPRK for its ability to process plutonium. The United States has a large and proven arsenal of tactical and strategic nuclear weapons, which would annihilate DPRK military capability if used.
Comment: The United States continues to publicly try to bully the DPRK into submitting to their wishes. The world knows that South Korea would be completed flattened if the U.S. engaged the DPRK forces, thus making a strike by the U.S. on North Korean soil unlikely.
(Analytic Confidence: 8)
