WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs said Sunday Chinese cooperation will be key to responding to North Korea's new nuclear plant.
Adm. Mike Mullen, appearing on ABC's "This Week," said dictator Kim Jong-il "is predictable in his unpredictability. ... He has over time continued to destabilize this region. And, in fact, I also believe that this has to do with a succession plan for his son."
"We've been engaged with China for an extended period of time with respect to North Korea. … And a great part of this, I think, will have to be done through Beijing," he said.
Asked how Pyongyang could have built the facility undetected, Mullen said "penetration of the North Koreans, in terms of intelligence capabilities, is very, very difficult."
Mullen also termed prompt Senate ratification of the strategic arms treaty with Russia "absolutely critical."
"We are close to one year without any ability to verify what's going on in Russia," he warned. "This is a national security issue of great significance. And the sooner we get it done, the better."
He also said the 2014 deadline for transferring combat duties to Afghan forces is "absolute."
