Mr. Ivashov is Vice-President of the Moscow-based Academy of Geopolitical Problems.
"The North Korean statement came as a preventive political response to US threats. As we can see, North Korea does not presently possess a sufficient nuclear potential to protect its own territory. Even if North Koreans have really achieved something, it is a test sample, to all appearances."
North Korea now is in no position to threaten the United States or anyone else, reassured the expert.
He does not think the Pyongyang statement will change US policies. It has, however, set North Korea's neighbors on their guard.
"That was a pure political move. It will not exacerbate the situation in the Korean Peninsula.
"The USA has not determined to settle the Korean issue by force-it has enough problems in Iraq. More than that, attacks on North Korea would certainly bring indignant protests worldwide.
"We are thus to expect hexapartite negotiations on nuclear issues to resume, and North Korean moves to improve relations with Japan and South Korea," said our informant.
