North Korea said Thursday that inspections and the dismantling of its nuclear weapons programs would only pave the way for a U.S. invasion, as proven by the U.S.-led war in Iraq. In a statement marking the March 20 anniversary of the start of the U.S.-led campaign in Iraq, the communist North signaled a stiffening in its approach to an ongoing crisis over its nuclear weapons development, as regional powers and the United States try to broker a peaceful end to Pyongyang’s atomic programs. China, North Korea’s last remaining ideological ally and key mediator in the nuclear crisis, said Thursday that its foreign minister will visit Pyongyang next week for the first time in five years to discuss how to proceed with six-nation talks aimed at easing nuclear tensions. Full Story