N. Korea`s Missiles Capable of Striking the US West Coast

CIA Director George Tenet confirmed on Wednesday that North Korea has one or two nuclear warheads, and retains ballistic missiles that could strike the West Coast of the United States.

In his testimony in the Senate Intelligence Committee`s hearing, when asked whether North Korea retains ballistic missiles reaching the West Coast, he, after close consultation with his aides, gave a "declassified answer" that he believed North could do it.

For the first time as a senior US government official, Tenet verified that North Korea could attack the United States with nuclear missiles.

He also said he believed North Korea retains one or two plutonium bombs, and that it would be wise to believe that North Korea retains one or two nuclear weapons.

Vice Admiral Lowell E. Jacoby (USN), Director of Defense Intelligence Agency, testified, in support of Tenet`s statement, that North Korea is believed to have missiles that could reach the West Coast of the Untied States. But, he said, the North has not test-fired them.

The CIA report, declassified in December of 2001, contains detailed information on North Korea`s missiles that could strike the West Coast as well as Alaska and Hawaii. In addition, the report mentions North Korea`s retaining of one or two nuclear weapons.

Sources said that the US intelligence agency took photos last month showing that North Korea was making such moves around the launching facilities in Nomgoong Ri.

maypole@donga.com