From New York Times:WASHINGTON — President Bush’s last effort to seal an agreement to dismantle North Korea’s nuclear weapons program during his presidency collapsed on Thursday, leaving the confrontation with one of the most isolated and intractable nations to the administration of President-elect Barack Obama.
Four days of negotiations in Beijing ended in impasse after North Korea refused to agree to a system of verifying its promise to end all nuclear activity. Among other things, the North Koreans have objected to soil and air samples taken near nuclear facilities and sent overseas for testing.
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My Comment: As I had mentioned earlier today ..... this breakdown in talks does not surprise me.