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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| Cracking the Hermit Kingdom |
| 2006-10-25 |
| By Gordon Cucullu and Joshua Stanton The twin fizzles of North Korea’s attempted long-range Fourth of July rocketry and its semi-successful nuclear test encourage those who favor procrastination as a viable foreign policy. In the long run, it affords little comfort that North Korea’s weapons don’t work well, because it cannot stop Kim Jong-il’s patience and marketing of more and better rockets. After 15 years of stalling, lying, and cheating his way through nuclear negotiations, Kim Jong-il could be the subject of a Country & Western song. We must accept the fact that he is faithful to his nuclear weapons programs, and unfaithful to anyone who would take them away from him. As Ambassador Christopher Hill put it, “North Korea can have nuclear weapons or it can have a future.” Kim Jong-il has chosen; he means to build the Arsenal of Terror. Now, we must choose whether we will let him. Can we disarm Kim Jong-il at less risk of a catastrophic war than the risks of continuing with the present course? We think so, but not through conventional diplomatic or military means. |
| Posted by:anonymous5089 |
| #2 Repeatedly, when the U.N. has considered resolutions condemning North KoreaÂ’s atrocities against its people, South Korea abstained or refused to vote. Now, Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon, who presided over this shameful diplomacy, is about to become the new UN General Secretary. Why am I not surprised? Since Kofi, a blind eye or passive complicity in the most horrific evils seems to be a resume requirement for the post. |
| Posted by: xbalanke 2006-10-25 13:47 |
| #1 The Skoreans, the people who should be the most upset about this don't seem to care one way or the other. They seem to be a jaded bunch of assholes to me. Afraid that this is going to cost them 2 cents. |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2006-10-25 07:52 |