Having Japan at the table changes the whole dynamic of the talks. It was a waste of time. It will become an even worse waste of time once talks begin.
Personally, having China at the table is what's most important. It's evidence that they are showing some "responsibility" rather than playing the "spoiler" against US attempts to maintain stability.
They recognize their own self-interest in preserving stability on the Korean peninsula, and know that the US is willing to let the situation destablize rather than permit China to bow out of their responsibilities.
Thus, with Hu's letter to Kim Jong Il stating China's interest in stability on the peninsula, de-nuclearization of N. Korea is all but assured. Kim Jong Il would be nuts to defy Bejing and cause them a loss of face. So, for Kim, the "jig is up"... All that's left is some bluster and deciding on what is a fair price for his cooperation, which will be less that it would have been using your bi-lateral approach.
This is a MAJOR policy change, IMO, for the Chinese.
Time is not on our side.
Actually, time IS on our side, IMO... To rush into something is to indicate to your opponent that are more than willing to compromise your core ideas and values in order to achieve an "acceptable compromise"..
Which means you're willing to submit the US to nuclear blackmail for the purpose of "closing the deal"...
So Why, GST, is time "NOT" on our side??
Why the rush to conclude a "bad" deal that could leave the N. Koreans still possessing nuclear weapons??
Hawk |
