A truthful statement would indicate that the regime of Kim Jong Il was serious about giving up its weapons and not just trying to extort aid from the West as it has in the past.

• 但这个进程就算有可能成功，也是一个漫长的过程。在此期间，金正日可以把美国的最新让步收为囊中物，而无须按赖斯此前要求的那样“全面完整地申报”核计划。