Gates: No sign NKorea is prepared to retaliate

[June 11, 2009]  BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says it does not appear that North Korea has made military preparations to follow through on its threat of retaliation for new United Nations sanctions.

Gates says the Pyongyang regime is unpredictable, however, so he does not dismiss the threats.

But he says there's no indication now of major troop movements or other suggestions that the North might attack another country.

A draft U.N. resolution proposed Wednesday would impose tough new sanctions on the reclusive communist nation's weapons exports and financial dealings, and allow inspections of suspect cargo in ports and on the high seas.

[Associated Press]

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