From SLATE's daily news summary, 19 June 2006: The New York Times leads with "senior American officials" saying
North Korea has completed fueling a long-range ballistic missile—the kind that could, eventually, reach the U.S.—and is set to test it. "Yes, looks like all systems are 'go' and fueling appears to be done," said an SAO [Senior Administration Official]. Pyongyang's last such test was in 1998, after which it declared a moratorium....
The NYT says the U.S. is so concerned about a test by Pyongyang that
Secretary Rice made a "highly unusual" move and actually spoke with North Korean diplomats. The message: Knock it off. "We needed to make sure there was no misunderstanding," said a SAO.
The Wall Street Journal says diplomats in "Washington, Seoul, and
Tokyo" are all distressed about the possible test, but the paper also emphasizes the "distinct possibility" that North Korea is engaged in a "bluff." < it's also quite possible that the SAO is lying, in order to "ramp up pressure on N. Korea." in other, Venezuela, news:
The Los Angeles Times leads with the U.S. pressuring Latin American
countries to vote against Venezuela's bid for the region's open seat on the U.N. Security Council. Chile's foreign minister recalled a meeting with Secretary of State Rice, who warned that if Chile supported Venezuela, it would be lumped in with the "loser" Latin American countries. The Americans "have made it quite clear this is a top priority," said one diplomat.< Perhaps a "Coalition of the Losers" should be formed? -- Jim Devine / "Advocates of capitalism are very apt to appeal to the sacred principles of liberty, which are embodied in one maxim: The fortunate must not be restrained in the exercise of tyranny over the unfortunate." -- Bertrand Russell
