] A defiant North Korea told the United States and four
] other nations that it has nuclear weapons and will prove
] it by conducting a test unless the United States gives up
] its "hostile policy," Bush administration officials said
] Thursday.
]
] Such a test might occur around the 55th anniversary of
] the founding of the North Korean state on Sept. 9, said a
] U.S. official briefed on the talks in Beijing. "Their
] line is that they need to 'test' or 'display' their
] capabilities to act as a deterrent ... and they say it
] isn't a bluff."

] Another U.S. official briefed on the Beijing talks said the
] North Korean diplomats made the threats to Assistant
] Secretary of State James Kelly on Wednesday, then
] repeated them before envoys from China, Russia, Japan
] and South Korea. "The Chinese were visibly angry and the
] others were taken aback," the official said. Both U.S.
] officials asked not to be named.

] Meanwhile, U.S.-led naval exercises are scheduled in the
] Pacific on Sept. 13 to practice stopping North Korean ships
] and searching them for arms or drugs.

Thats some timing..