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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jacob Snyder who wrote (107237)	7/22/2003 9:09:49 PM
From: Brumar89	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

1. two "proliferation-resistent" reactors. I see from your own earlier post we began construction on the two reacters last fall. 2. ending economic sanctions, establishing normal trade relations 3. establishing normal diplomatic relations Your earlier post said The Clinton administration made some progress on fulfilling this aspect of the framework toward the end of its second term, most notably when then-Secretary of State Madeleine Albright visited Pyongyang in October 2000. Additionally, in June 2000, Washington eased longstanding sanctions against North Korea under the Trading with the Enemy Act, the Defense Production Act, and the Export Administration Act, clearing the way for increased trade, financial transactions, and investment. Pyongyang is still prohibited, however, from receiving U.S. exports of military and sensitive dual-use items and most related assistance. What is wrong with that? Seems pretty reasonable. And that we've done what we can given what kind of regime NK has. 4. not to threaten NK with our nukes Again, per your post: Bush administration officials have said several times that the United States has no intention of attacking North Korea. A January 7, 2003 joint statement from the United States, Japan, and South Korea reaffirmed this commitment in writing, stating that the United States "has no intention of invading" North Korea. The Bush administration, however, has sent mixed signals about its intentions toward North Korea. Pyongyang argues that the United States has not lived up to its commitment because President George W. Bush called North Korea part of an "axis of evil" in January 2002. North Korea also accuses Washington of targeting North Korea for a "preemptive nuclear attack." In September 2002, the Bush administration released a report which emphasizes pre-emptively attacking countries developing weapons of mass destruction. It explicitly mentions North Korea. In addition, a leaked version of the Bush administration's January 2002 classified Nuclear Posture Review lists North Korea as a country against which the United States should be prepared to use nuclear weapons, although it does not mention pre-emptive nuclear strikes. Well, we promised in writing not to invade them. We didn't promise not to say their gov't is evil. Re. military planning, you should know we have plans of all sorts involving possible actions against many countries. That's not a threat. There was some things in your earlier post I agree with: Tell them that we would consider a mass artillery barrage of Seoul (for any reason) to be the use of a "weapon of mass destruction", and we would respond with tactical nuclear weapons instantly, as many as necessary to end the attack. Second, tell them we will start a selective blockade of N. Korea. All ships leaving their harbors will be inspected, and we will confiscate WMD, delivery vehicles (=missiles); also technology, materials, components for same. This will only work, of course, if S. Korea and China don't allow those items to be exported through them. So, we need to talk to them, and do whatever horse-trading is necessary, to present a united front on this semi-blockade. There's a recognition there that we need to get China involved. While the US is putting together a coalition of countries to prevent shipment of nukes by ship (or to try), China's active cooperation is vital. Frankly, talking with NK is worthless. Getting China to cooperate (by carrot or stick) is what's needed. China is the only country that can actually exert strong leverage on NK.