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CNN Saturday Morning News

U.S. Intelligence Suspects North Korea is Reprocessing Nuclear Fuel Rods

Aired July 12, 2003 - 09:56   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


JOHN VAUSE, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to go to the Pentagon now, where Chris Plante is standing by, has some information about a story which has been developing regarding North Korea and reprocessing of nuclear fuel.
What can you tell us, Chris?

CHRIS PLANTE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Hi, John.

That's right, U.S. intelligence detected over the last couple of weeks that North Korea had begun reprocessing spent nuclear fuel rods. They have about 8,000 of these spent nuclear fuel rods, and if reprocessed, can be used to produce weapons-grade uranium for the production of nuclear weapons.

It's believed that if this reprocessing is brought to its fullest extent, that it could lead to the production of between six and 12 nuclear weapons. The U.S. has already assessed that North Korea is in possession of one, perhaps as many as three nuclear weapons, but it looks as though they're going ahead and reprocessing against the will of the international community, certainly.

And as negotiations with South Korea on this subject are ongoing, to reprocess enough nuclear materials to produce some more weapons, John.

VAUSE: OK, Chris Plante at the Pentagon there. We'll obviously follow this story, give you more details as they come to hand. Thank you, Chris.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




Nuclear Fuel Rods>


Aired July 12, 2003 - 09:56   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JOHN VAUSE, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to go to the Pentagon now, where Chris Plante is standing by, has some information about a story which has been developing regarding North Korea and reprocessing of nuclear fuel.
What can you tell us, Chris?

CHRIS PLANTE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Hi, John.

That's right, U.S. intelligence detected over the last couple of weeks that North Korea had begun reprocessing spent nuclear fuel rods. They have about 8,000 of these spent nuclear fuel rods, and if reprocessed, can be used to produce weapons-grade uranium for the production of nuclear weapons.

It's believed that if this reprocessing is brought to its fullest extent, that it could lead to the production of between six and 12 nuclear weapons. The U.S. has already assessed that North Korea is in possession of one, perhaps as many as three nuclear weapons, but it looks as though they're going ahead and reprocessing against the will of the international community, certainly.

And as negotiations with South Korea on this subject are ongoing, to reprocess enough nuclear materials to produce some more weapons, John.

VAUSE: OK, Chris Plante at the Pentagon there. We'll obviously follow this story, give you more details as they come to hand. Thank you, Chris.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




Nuclear Fuel Rods>