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| Why progress is unlikely in North Korea nuclear talks |
| 2004-03-03 |
| By Mark Magnier, Los Angeles Times. EFL North Korea has never had a real election, doesn’t believe in democracy and wouldn’t dream of putting the political fate of "Dear Leader" Kim Jong Il in the hands of ballot-wielding commoners. But it does have an election strategy — as far as the United States is concerned. The regime in Pyongyang, analysts say, is rooting for virtually anyone other than George W. Bush to be the next U.S. president. [, such as a certain haughty, French-looking Massachusetts Democrat who once served in Vietnam] That’s why many observers are expecting little progress at the six-party talks aimed at halting North Korea’s nuclear program that started yesterday in Beijing. I guess they don’t call it the "Democratic People’s Republic" for nothing. "North Korea is waiting for its own regime change — in D.C.," said Pang Zhongying, professor of international relations at China’s Nankai University. I can see it now: "Rodong Sinmun today in an editorial calls for fully demonstrating the might of single-hearted unity in hearty response to the calls of the Democratic National Committee to elect John F. Kerry the next President of the United States. ’Senator Kerry fully represents the noble Juche idea and the American people shall advance in its spirit and emerge victorious with its might if he is elected. . . .’" In return for shutting down its weapons program, (NOT!) the North wants to get On the other hand... Bush will be in a stronger position to make demands on North Korea after November — assuming he’s re-elected and the United States has restored sovereignty in Iraq to Iraqis. At that point, a U.S. threat of unilateral action against Pyongyang also would become more credible. Therefore, expect lots of talk, and no action, in the near term. |
| Posted by:Mike |
| #2 |
| Posted by: KerryIsSoVery 2004-3-3 10:57:42 AM |
| #1 |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2004-3-3 9:20:12 AM |