Gorbachev condemns North Korean nuclear test

     Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev has condemned North Korea's nuclear test.
     "I think that it is a challenge. But it may be a challenge on the verge of despair because life is very hard inside North Korea, and very complex processes are taking place there," Gorbachev told Interfax on Monday.
     The former Soviet president said he did not rule out that the test might be aimed at securing some decisions for North Korea.
     "But, in my opinion, they would receive much more if they acted within the framework of cooperation.  They have only made life harder for themselves," he said.
     The six nations need to make further efforts and to continue their contacts with North Korea, Gorbachev said.
     "I do not think it is too late to put the brakes on this process and to transfer it to different tracks," he said.

 Interfax, 09.10.2006