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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| North Koreaâs Kim Said Wonât Abandon Nukes |
| 2004-05-10 |
| North Korean leader Kim Jong-il told Chinese President Hu Jintao last month that Pyongyang was willing to freeze some of its nuclear programs but would not completely scrap them, a Japanese newspaper said on Monday. That stance is in line with North Koreaâs existing position and China is concerned that it could cause a confrontation at six-party, working-level talks to start on Wednesday in Beijing on Pyongyangâs nuclear programs, the Yomiuri Shimbun said. North Korea had agreed to join this weekâs meeting after the reclusive Kim made a rare visit to Beijing in April when he was quoted as telling Chinese leaders North Korea would be patient, flexible and engaged in six-party talks. In his talks with Hu on April 19, Kim said North Korea would not agree to demands by Japan, South Korea and the United States that it scrap its nuclear program in a complete, irreversible and verifiable manner, the Yomiuri reported, quoting Japanese government sources briefed by Chinese officials. Then all bets are off. Looks like that train explosion was just a warmup exercise after all. Kim also made it clear that North Korea was seeking a quid pro quo such as energy assistance in exchange for freezing its nuclear development, the newspaper said. Destroy the nuclear weapons first. Kimâs track record is worse than dismal. No aid or assistance of any sort until the atomic devices are surrendered. Otherwise, look forward to another winter of freezing starvation. The world cannot afford yet another fruitless spin on the dance floor with this four-flusher. "North Korea is taking part in six-party talks to discuss compensation for freezing its nuclear development," Kim was quoted as saying. Kim added that North Korea would "continue to carry out nuclear programs for peaceful purposes," indicating that Pyongyang would freeze only those nuclear programs that are for military use, the newspaper said. For such a deceitful ruler there is no such thing as "nuclear programs for peaceful purposes." China, Japan, North and South Korea, Russia and the United States held two rounds of talks among senior officials on the Northâs nuclear arms programs in August 2003 and in February. But the talks made little progress on how North Koreaâs nuclear programs might be dismantled and its energy and security concerns addressed. Somehow, Chinaâs own credibility and prestige must be made to hinge upon them properly defusing the North Korean crisis. The PRC has provided aid and technology that specifically augmented North Koreaâs threat to the region. China must now pay the piper for sowing such unrest. |
| Posted by:Zenster |
| #15 Thanks alot Bill Clinton... |
| Posted by: Anonymous4789 2004-05-10 9:43:37 PM |
| #14 I would, cingold, especially since President Bush (whom Zboy calls "Shrub") is directly responsible for the ballistic missile defense of SDI that he cites for praise above. (And before "Shrub," it was that other hated GOP President Ronaldus Magnus, whom I'll bet Zipper calls "Ray-gun," who pushed for "Star Wars" and funding of the Patriot missile program in the first place and was villified for it!) |
| Posted by: Jen 2004-05-10 9:42:35 PM |
| #13 Zenster, youâre right -- Clinton already gave China far too much technology! In a different vein, however, I donât recall you ever answering a central question that you have been repeatedly asked: How do you square your gung-ho, pro-USA-military, pro-National security, âkill them all, let God sort them outâ rhetoric with your âBush is a crookâ rhetoric? Generally, when I ask you this question (or versions of the same) you ignore it or just stop posting for awhile, but I really think inquiring minds would like to hear your answer to the question. |
| Posted by: cingold 2004-05-10 9:14:00 PM |
| #12 Zhang Fei, I'm well aware of how China seeks to counterbalance American military might through proliferation. At some point, both China and Pakistan must be pilloried for the intensely destabilizing effect their spread of nuclear technology has had upon the world. It seems as though Japan is getting their fill of North Korea's nuclear aspirations. I agree that China needs to be read the riot act about retaliation if North Korea ever launches a single missle attack against anyone. Someone needs to draw them some maps for the path of Pyongyang's fallout cloud. Fortunately, American ballistic missile technology is measuring up to the threat. At some point, China must be forced to realize that any role they seek as an economic power is totally compromised by their fostering of so much uncertainty in the Asian sphere. It is for this specific reason that China must never be sold any advanced weapons systems like those they are currently attempting to purchase from Europe. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2004-05-10 9:08:51 PM |
| #11 Zenster: Somehow, Chinaâs own credibility and prestige must be made to hinge upon them properly defusing the North Korean crisis. China's not going to solve this problem. In Chinese eyes, North Korean nukes are a benefit, not a problem. The Chinese are engaging in theater again, pretending to chastise Kim Jong Il, while continuing to supply him with nuclear material. China proliferates as a matter of state policy, in order to balance the power of the US. The US carries out its regional balance-of-power goals using its blue water navy - China does so by selling nukes and ballistic missiles to America's enemies. Irresponsible? Yes. Effective? Yes. The only thing that might prevent China from proliferating further is a threat that an attack on the US using Chinese-provided nukes will be met by the annihilation of China. (It would also help if the US deployed an effective ballistic missile system). I see no sign that US leaders are prepared to make that statement. |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2004-05-10 5:45:05 PM |
| #10 Given the likely anger in the military over famine deaths, Kim Jong Il must now fear the military as his greatest threat, which is perhaps why he avoids visiting military units that are engaged in exercises using live ammunition (U.S. government sources). |
| Posted by: Zenster 2004-05-10 5:26:44 PM |
| #9 Jen, I picked this up out of the 3 May Washington Times and posted it on Rantburg. http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20040503-051025-2386r.htm |
| Posted by: RWV 2004-05-10 3:40:22 PM |
| #8 Got link: Tuesday, May 04, 2004: North Korea's leader made his first appearance since last month's deadly train explosion, according to official media that also kept up rhetorical attacks against Washington despite a US offer of emergency aid. Kim Jong-il inspected a military unit and met soldiers, the official KCNA news agency said in a report on yesterday that did not mention when the inspection by the elusive leader took place. Still nothing reliable that can be dated. |
| Posted by: Steve 2004-05-10 2:24:51 PM |
| #7 RWV, you sure? Got link? |
| Posted by: Jen 2004-05-10 12:57:08 PM |
| #6 And we all know why North Korea has the stuff they do, don't we?
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| Posted by: BigEd 2004-05-10 12:55:26 PM |
| #5 Jen / Steve, he surfaced about 3 or 4 days after the explosion with his senior defense staff in tow to visit a military installation near Pyongyang. He hasn't been reported as seen since. |
| Posted by: RWV 2004-05-10 12:54:32 PM |
| #4 Did he survive the train ride home or WHAT? My own opinion is that he did survive, but thinks the train explosion was aimed at him. He's holed up in a bunker on paranoia overdrive, while the security forces look for the usual suspects. |
| Posted by: Steve 2004-05-10 12:49:06 PM |
| #3 North Korean leader Kim Jong-il told Chinese President Hu Jintao last month... Note that there's still no current news from Kim himself. Did he survive the train ride home or WHAT? |
| Posted by: Jen 2004-05-10 12:40:58 PM |
| #2 We'll love them and hug them and.. And call them "George"? |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2004-05-10 12:37:52 PM |
| #1 Just like the big furry monster in the Warner Bros. cartoons. We'll love them and hug them and love them and hug them....... Just feeling a little silly this AM |
| Posted by: cheaderhead 2004-05-10 6:28:13 AM |