Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: LindyBill who wrote (43601)	5/11/2004 12:23:19 PM
From: LindyBill	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793881

More on NK econ reforms By Rebecca MacKinnon on Economic policy NK Zone Blog Wall Street Journal reporter Bertil Lintner recently got into North Korea. You need a subscription to access the full article, unfortunately. He visited the Tong-il market and spoke with a range of North Korean officials, foreign diplomats and other foreign residents of Pyongyang. His observations include: - the emergence of individual, small scale enterprises - hints of consumerism: mobile phones here and there, billboards and advertising - a growing consumer market What does it all mean? Is it significant? Will it lead to real systemic change?? Lintner points out that some are optimistic while some are skeptical, then observes: "Still, most foreign residents interviewed here -- diplomats, aid workers and others -- look at recent developments in a third way: They believe the changes are real and that it would be extremely hard to turn back the clock. Tongil market isn't on the periphery, they note, but in a Pyongyang suburb and accessible to all. North Korean officials say a second open market is being built in the center of the city, and more are planned. Further, the old farmers' markets now are called "consumers' markets," indicating they will be allowed to sell other necessities in addition to food." The article concludes: "In private conversations, North Korean officials toe the party line, saying they will "remain faithful to the socialist system" and rejecting the Chinese model, which is seen as being far too liberal. But change may be outrunning rhetoric. A directory published recently by the North Korean government lists nearly 200 new trading companies that appear to be small versions of South Korea's chaebols, conglomerates that export and import a variety of goods. Although state-owned, they are autonomous and make their own deals with foreign business partners."

To: LindyBill who wrote (43601)	5/11/2004 12:45:55 PM
From: michael97123	Respond to of 793881

LB, Dead on. We are fighting savages too. Not all iraqis, not all palestinians but enough. And we have to wear kid gloves. And we need an abundance of supervision of our boys and girls who are in harms way or they may turn toward retribution in kind. I am very depressed today. What i see on this thread is that this "straw"(prison scandal) that broke the camels back has split bush supporters. No way for bush to win, only for kerry to lose but i suspect he knows this and that his calculated move toward the center that david brooks talks about. mike