I think it is sad that more attention to the situation in North Korea has not be paid by the western industrialised nations.

Unfortunatley Greg, like the rest of the world, I don't have an innovative solution to this problem. I just believe it is terrible injustice that 100's of billions of dollars have been spent on securing oil reserves in Iraq, while North Korea is largely ignored.

I understand that is realpolitk, that N. Korea has little to offer, but when GWB talks about 'liberating' Iraq from a tyrant, people should think about the people in N Korea, probably the most oppressed people in the world.

Barnsey,
On this occassion, agreed.

The article is well intentioned but I think the US would be better equipped in terms of technology, money and political risk assessments to assist in North Korean coal mining.

Normally Australia provides assistance in a climate of goodwill rather than assisting a neo-Stalinist dictatorship that considers Australian an "imperialist lackey".

So North Korea would eventually tire of our good intentions and throw the aid back in our faces.

North Korea wants to be considered an important power via the nuclear route. So it is very unlikely that it would seriously wish to accept help from a little follower - lets face it.

For more on the geopolitical picture see http://spyingbadthings.blogspot.com/2006/07/north-korean-taepodong-2-missile.html

Pete

instability caused by north korea? who is paying this person?

when g w bush says he doesn't like you, falling bombs carry the news.

when g w bush publishes a list of governments he doesn't like:

iraq: burning

iran: coming into focus

north korea: taking steps to discourage invasion, as anyone would

i suggest g w bush is the cause of north korean sabre-rattling, and any resulting instability. events in the middle east should by now have reminded everyone that american foreign policy is being guided by simpletons under the direction of psychopaths. if you ever find yourself agreeing with these people, keep quiet lest you shame yourself.

Why don't we sell them some Uranium ?

I am under the impression that White House Imperialist designs on Arab oil, as an integral part of their fantasies of ruling the world, is responsible for this current climate of instability.

GWB is a simpleton that is having a great ego boost by muttering nonsense and having the recognition as being the President of the United States, while the psychopaths cause mayhem from behind the scenes. (GWB is a puppet that is having his strings pulled by the psychopaths - Cheney, Rumsfield, Bush Snr, etc.)

Israel, currently being steered by a FASCIST goverment, is a playing a dangerous game by going along with the want-to-be Imperialist White House. It has overconfidence in the idea that no matter how much it pisses off its Muslim neighbours, the US will back it up.

It is intent on bombing Lebannon into a distant memory in the hope of PROVOKING Syria and Iran into foolishly reacting in a manner that would allow the White House to send troops to "Liberate/Democratise/Pacify" Iran while STEALING their oil reserves.

North Korea, if it has any diplomatic ties to Iran Russia or China, is being asked to demonstrate the effectiveness of their long range missiles and their capability to strike Alaska so that the arrogant and rabid White House has to defend its own oil reserves instead of planning expansion from a devastated Iraq into Iran.
cont.