'Korean test shows failure of non-proliferation'
North Korea's nuclear test is an act of gross irresponsibility which proves the failure of the world's non-proliferation policies but could hasten the day when the two Koreas are re-united, European newspapers said yesterday. The nuclear explosion "is one of those events which mark a turning-point in the history of our planet," said the right-wing French newspaper Le Figaro, which warned that the repercussions would be felt well beyond the region of east Asia.
"Across all continents, countries which aspire to play a role of world power are watching what happens when the rules of non-proliferation are broken .... If the North Korean precedent is left unchallenged, Iran will be the next country to take the step -- and others will follow," it said.
In Italy the popular Corriere della Sera said that "with the threat of atomic nationalism, the North Korean regime is trying to extort major foreign aid so that its government can survive the tragic history of misery and famine."
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