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Last update - 10:35 22/04/2008 ANALYSIS: U.S. to ask N. Korea: Where's the missing plutonium? By Yossi Melman, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: North Korea, U.S., Syria  Talks between the United States and North Korea about nuclear disarmament, scheduled to start in Pyongyang Tuesday, are expected to be set against the backdrop of recent reports about the Asian state's involvement in nuclear proliferation, especially with regards to Syria. The Americans will ask for explanations and clarifications as to the precise amount of plutonium North Korea produced in the nuclear reactor in Yongbyon. The Japanese daily Shimbun reported Monday that between six and 24 kilograms of plutonium are missing, and are not accounted for. North Korea, the paper continued, told U.S. officials last December that it had produced only 30 kilos altogether, contrary to the U.S. assessment of 50 kilos. In any case, the U.S. will want to know for what purpose this amount has been used. According to the Japanese report, North Korea said four months ago that 18 kilos were allocated to nuclear research and development, and another six kilos to a nuclear test which took place in October 2006 and proved, according to Western experts, unsuccessful. It is believed that the missing batch - six kilos according to North Korea and 26 according to the U.S. - was shipped to other countries, namely Syria. Advertisement A few months ago Haaretz reported that the Israeli nuclear expert Prof. Uzi Even challenged the prevalent assessment that the Syrian facility Israel attacked and destroyed was a nuclear reactor. The Pyongyang talks are yet another phase in an ongoing attempt to persuade North Korea to abort its nuclear program in return for financial aid from South Korea, Japan and the U.S. According to the preliminary agreements, North Korea is supposed to provide reliable data about its nuclear activity. Related articles: Bush: N. Korea must provide full declaration of its nuclear proliferation activities Israel concerned N. Korean nuclear know-how, material has reached Iran Israel, U.S. plan to release details on Syria attack Bookmark to del.icio.us   JDate wins the 'Oscars' The leading Jewish dating Web site is an official honoree of the Webby Awards. 'Worse than Nazi camp' A Libyan envoy to the UN says the situation in Gaza is worse than in concentration camps.   1.   Whoops! There goes another bit of Zionist propaganda 10:25  |  Clickfool 22/04/08   2.   The cat ran away with it.... 10:50  |  Clickfool 22/04/08   3.   This is all fantasy 11:30  |  Rowan 22/04/08   4.   Special rules for Israel ... no nuclear questions asked 13:03  |  Natallie Durson 22/04/08   5.   Another" Agatha Christie Mystery"! 14:16  |  Stephen. 22/04/08   6.   Where is missing US Plutonium 15:57  |  Mark Lincoln 22/04/08   7.   North-Koreans to ask US: What plutonium? 16:12  |  Mark B. 22/04/08   8.   Plutonium and other Toys 16:37  |  AlbertoGA 24/04/08

Read & React Israeli envoy to UN calls Carter 'a bigot' for meeting Meshal Responses: 152 Israel: Syria may rethink retaliation in light of nuclear revelations Responses: 103 Israel snubs Hamas truce bid as ruse to recover from fighting Responses: 107 Two Israeli guards killed in West Bank shooting; third flees Responses: 70 Yossi Sarid: If it runs like apartheid and acts like apartheid... Responses: 89 Rosner's Domain Syria insists on a return to the pre-1967 lines (WTR) Poll: Will the new spy case harm U.S.-Israel ties? Notes on the new Israeli-espionage affair The real numbers of the Jewish vote in Pennsylvania More Headlines 16:58 Three people killed in Ramle shooting spree 14:35 Two Israeli guards killed in West Bank shooting; third flees 19:13 IAEA chief slams U.S. for withholding data on alleged Syrian nuclear reactor 17:58 7,000 Hamas supporters rally at Gaza north, south borders 18:02 Hackers commandeer Israel Bank site, post anti-Israel jibes 19:44 German Jewish leader backs publication of Hitler's 'Mein Kampf' 18:04 Facing widespread pressure, Nadine Gordimer may pull out of Israel writers meet 13:55 Syria accuses U.S. of aiding Israel in strike on nuke facility 13:28 'One day they told me I'm no longer Jewish' 13:23 Israel: Syria may rethink retaliation in light of nuclear revelations 15:48 IMF praises PA for 'bold reforms,' strides toward fiscal sustainability 13:23 Berlin's Holocaust memorial to host classical open-air concert Previous Editions Select Day 24 apr 23 apr 22 apr 21 apr 20 apr 18 apr 17 apr 16 apr 15 apr 14 apr 13 apr 11 apr

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