North rocket science peaceful:Putin

In the first-ever visit by a head of state from either the Soviet Union or modern Russia, President Vladimir Putin arrived in North Korea on July 19 and has met with North Korean leader Kim Jung-Il on two separate occasions.

The two heads of state are expected to work out a North Korea-Russia Joint Declaration, which is expected to contain an opening of 11 ports and greater exchanges in the areas of metallurgy and industry. They also are expected to work out other matters during their meetings.

In the July 19 meeting, the two men went into overtime and spoke at great length for two hours. After the talk, President Putin revealed that the North Korean leader has given his assurance that all current and future missile development will be for peaceful purposes. Putin said that with the advancement of the missile program into the space-age rocket technology on an equal technological level with other nations, North Korea would abandon its missile development program.

During the meeting, it was revealed that President Putin conveyed to the North`s leader that Russia and North Korea are very close neighbors and asked for a reciprocal visit by Kim Jung-Il.

President Putin also conveyed that he was supportive of the inter-Korean effort for a peaceful reunification but that he opposed the U.S. National Missile Defense and Theater Missile Defense proposals.