N. Korea Pledges To Give Up Nukes
No. 2 Leader Tells Officials From South To Expect "Efforts To Realize" Disarmament
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South Korean Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung, left, toasts with his North Korean counterpart Senior Cabinet Councilor Kwon Ho Ung during a dinner in Pyongyang, North Korea, Thursday, March 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Korea POOL)
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South Korean delegates, left, shake hands their North Korean counterpart during a meeting at the North Korean border town of Kaesong, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007. (AP Photo/Korea POOL)
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Negotiators pose for press photographers before the closing ceremony of the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program in Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007. (AP Photo/Michael Reynolds POOL)
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U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, right, heads out for the six-party talks in Beijing, China, Monday, Feb. 12, 2007. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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A man, Kyodo News says is believed to be Kim Jong Nam, eldest son of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Il is surrounded by media upon arrival from Macau at Beijing airport in Beijing, China, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007. His appearance in Beijing sparked interest among North Korea watchers, coming as the United States and North Korea were meeting across town over North Korea's nuclear weapons programs. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)
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"The denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is the dying wish" of the country's late founding president Kim Il Sung, Kim Yong Nam said in Pyongyang during a visit from a high-level South Korean delegation.
The North "will make efforts to realize it," he said.
At the meeting, South Korean Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung pressed the North to implement a Feb. 13 pledge made with the U.S. and four other countries to take initial steps to disarm.
"It is important to make efforts to ensure that South and North Korea cooperate and six countries each assume their responsibilities," Lee said.
Kim Yong Nam also called on the Koreas to cooperate to achieve the reunification of the peninsula, which was divided in the wake of World War II and still remains technically at war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a cease-fire.
Kim also repeated the North's calls for inter-Korean collaboration, an idea South Korea has dismissed as a ploy to drive a wedge in Seoul's alliance with Washington.
This week's Cabinet-level talks between the North and South — the highest-level regular contact between the Koreas — are the first in seven months. The talks resumed after North Korea's agreement last month in Beijing to shut down its main nuclear reactor within 60 days in exchange for aid.
Meanwhile, the New York Times published a story Thursday that raises questions about how the U.S. got into the situation of having to negotiate with North Korea to abandon a well-developed weapons program.
The Times quotes an unnamed "senior administration official" who suggests the nuclear standoff with the North could have been avoided, or at least greatly eased, had the White House "handled differently" evidence in 2002 that suggested Pyongyang was enriching uranium to create a bomb.
American intelligence officials are "publicly softening their position" on how much progress has actually been made in that enrichment process, according to the report.
"The question now is whether we would be in the position of having to get the North Koreans to give up a sizable arsenal if this had been handled differently," the official told The Times.
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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I hope all the Neocons are digging themselves a deep Saddam hole in the ground in which they can hide! And we can forget them...
They even publically talked about war with N. Korea for years.....
More Bush excellence......
U.S. alters stance on North Korean uranium program
By GLENN KESSLER
The Washington Post
WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration is backing away from its long-held assertion that North Korea has an active clandestine program to enrich uranium, leading some experts to believe that the original U.S. intelligence in 2002 that started the crisis over Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions may have been flawed.
The chief intelligence officer for North Korea, Joseph DeTrani, told Congress on Tuesday that while there is "high confidence" North Korea has acquired materials that could be used in a "production-scale" uranium enrichment program, there is only "mid-confidence" such a program exists.
At that time, President Bush told reporters, "We discovered that contrary to an agreement they had with the United States, they're enriching uranium, with a desire of developing a weapon."
The accusation about the alleged uranium enrichment program backfired, sparking a series of events that ultimately led to North Korea's first nuclear test -- using plutonium -- nearly five months ago.
The North Koreans have consistently denied having a uranium-enrichment program.
Maybe the Bush approach is working....
remember he cut off their access to money via back channels...
North Korea felt the heat...we'll see how this works...loved the way it was done..
Now, as I stated before, We will have a thaw with Iran within the next 90-180 days...
There is alot goingon behind the scenes..
The liberal yahoo's don't have an understanding of power politics...Bush does..he is unpredictable...and dictators, at the end of the day...like to survive....
Take a quick scan of the five photo display for this piece, too. #5 seems a bit out of context. But then sort of reminded me of Jimmy Carter's brother Billy.
Posted by golfkt at 09:13 AM : Mar 01, 2007
Obviously, Bush doesn't have that great of a grasp himself. It's "they're evil because they're doing this, uh-oh never mind" ad infinitim......
Just watch his claims about Iran turn out to be pure BS as were his claims about Iraq and N. Korea......
If you are a former USMC, I am surprised by your posts. Re hashing the old lie..."He lied to get us into Iraq"...
are you indicating N Korea is not a threat?...please be more detailed....are you indicating Iran is not a threat? again please be more detailed...
Poer politics works....in this case Bush carried a big stick and used his unpredictability to our advantage.....along with the fact N Korea's access to $ was shut down...once they felt the squeeze they returned to the negotiating table...
If you are a former USMC, I am surprised by your posts. Re hashing the old lie..."He lied to get us into Iraq"...
are you indicating N Korea is not a threat?...please be more detailed....are you indicating Iran is not a threat? again please be more detailed...
Posted by golfkt at 09:31 AM : Mar 01, 2007
Monkeyed-up intel regarding Iraq is no lie bro, it is fact. (see: Downing Street Memo). The Brits were told by the administration in July, 2002, that the intel would be made to fit the plan for invasion.
In regards to Iran and N. Korea being threats, I do not dispute that for one moment.
However, where you and I part company is that I believe that basing policy on "monkeyed-up" intel is as big a threat to our country as either of those two counties, to say the least.
SORRY, APPARENTLY MY COMMENT WAS A LAME (SARCASTIC) ATTEMPT TO ILLUSTRATE THIS ADMINISTRATIONS ARROGANT DISREGARD FOR INTERNATIONAL AND U S LAWS. THE COMMENT WAS MENT TO BRING ATTENTION TO THIS COWBOYS STRONG ARM TACTICS. FOR ONE, I THINK THIS PRESIDENT AND HIS V P , SHOULD BE IMPEACHED.
Re: NK and Iran, with both...and I think Pakistan is on the list also...would they be willing to sell a Nuke to the a terrorist outfit...and attempt to smuggle a nuke into the US...
In all candor, that is the biggest concern that Bush and the US has....we spend a lot of time and money on that....so when you get to the root of all this....that's the major ( no. 1) concern....everything...and I mean everything runs through that prism....has Bush overreacted to 9/11?....
USMC...you being a marine would understand...9/11 in Bush's mind = 12/7/41...everyhting emanates form that day...and he is doing everything in his power to reduce the chance of that happening...has he crossed the line....perhaps/perhaps not....with civil liberties...it's a fine line...
it's much more complex than both sides (left and right) have labeled it...
Posted by mbcsmith at 09:43 AM : Mar 01, 2007
..... two out of three Axis of Evil gone......and now we sit down with the third one, Iran.
George Bush ......you are the man!!!! USA USA.....
It's sad though that the intolerant liberal Bush haters "don't like this" development...... I'm sure they along with our corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack will do everything in their power to Poo Poo this.........it's typical and predictable.....
SORRY, APPARENTLY MY COMMENT WAS A LAME (SARCASTIC) ATTEMPT TO ILLUSTRATE THIS ADMINISTRATIONS ARROGANT DISREGARD FOR INTERNATIONAL AND U S LAWS. THE COMMENT WAS MENT TO BRING ATTENTION TO THIS COWBOYS STRONG ARM TACTICS. FOR ONE, I THINK THIS PRESIDENT AND HIS V P , SHOULD BE IMPEACHED.
Posted by crater7 at 09:39 AM : Mar 01, 2007
My apologies, crater. I have not seen posts of yours previously and did not understand that you were being sarcastic. My bad.
Would you consider not using all caps? It appears that you are yelling.
USMC...you being a marine would understand...9/11 in Bush's mind = 12/7/41...everyhting emanates form that day...and he is doing everything in his power to reduce the chance of that happening...
Posted by golfkt at 09:47 AM : Mar 01, 2007
Right....the Brits, being our staunchest ally in Iraq, had a lot to gain by revealing they were told ahead of time the intel would be "monkeyed-up. Kind of makes them look rather foolish, don't you think?
And in regards to equating Bush's response to 9/11 to FDR's to 12/7/41, I could not disagree more.
The neocons seized upon 9/11 and kept beating the fear drum to justify their ideology of wanting 4 permanent bases in Iraq and the regime change that would be required to make those bases a reality.
The permament base issue..is a disagreement..
on the same WW2 analogy..I also equate Bush's response to the Soviet response...of never letting something like that happen again...9/11 was the big issue....
As the C-in-C...he must and is(...some would say over stepping his authority)doing everything in his power to protect the US..
The liberals are subscribing many heinous things...none of which is true...but that's the beauty of a democracy....dissent, disagreement, screaming and yelling...then a solution...somewhere in the middle...
The US constitution is a beautiful thing...
Posted by golfkt
yeah, like Saddam....and I agree Bush is unpredictable - and that's simply dangerous.
Or do some people think all he's done is some kind of stroke of genius, a "master plan" of great value for the fee world? I wouldn't say so looking at the dead and displaced lists.
I'm afraid tham I remain much too hawkish to relent my guard here. Hence, I still would advocate pumping up Defense Dollars by Senate action. Maybe even reconsideration of the Strategic Defense Initiative.
Global warming is a fear drum. Why pretend that all parties don't beat it? Why can't you believe that a muslim somewhere in the world right now is planning to kill you and the rest of us at the same time? You must be an al-quaeda blogger posing as an ex-marine.
Posted by Musty2U at 10:11 AM : Mar 01, 2007
Musty, you? A hawk? C'mon bro, I'd never have guessed! Yesterday you were promoting the nuking and slaughter of 7 million people in Baghdad!
WASHINGTON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Tuesday the United States may have a military presence in Iraq for a "prolonged period" and drew a comparison with U.S. bases in Germany and South Korea.
How long have we been in those two countries?
Posted by MITYWHITY at 10:13 AM : Mar 01, 2007
How original, WHITY. Anyone who is not a neocon is an enemy agent.........
Posted by formrusmcsgt
Funny how all these "hawks", I prefer the "neocon" I.D - after some rational event occurs, change suddenly their colors!
Posted by MITYWHITY
I guess you're living on a mountian top somewhere. Global warming is a proven reality.
Ask the Eskimos!
Posted by karlimhof at 10:21 AM : Mar 01, 2007
Musty was making a joke. He makes Curtis LeMay look like Ghandi.
Oh, ...sorry.
is your point that we got into Iraq for the express purpose of permanent bases...I disagree whole heartedly...is that an outcome yet....but the war for that reason...NO ...the liberals subscribe heinous things to Bush for this war....Not True....were we wrong.....maybe...maybe not....did we execute the peace ( after the war) correctly....no way...but...10-15 yrs will be needed to assess the right or wrong of this war...
suffice it to say: NK talking is ue to several reasons...the primary being---we cut off their source of cash...
Iran--- both sides will ultimately agree...again...the big concern is them getting the weapon then handing off to Hezbollah..or some other group...
is your point that we got into Iraq for the express purpose of permanent bases...I disagree whole heartedly...
Posted by golfkt at 10:37 AM : Mar 01, 2007
You can disagree all day long if you wish, but then you'll have to explain why Congress pulled the plug on these unplanned bases just last October if they were never the goal......
War news must be held for March Madness.
much more!!!..it was an off shoot...but not the reason...escpecially in light the the bases we have close by....
much more!!!..it was an off shoot...but not the reason...escpecially in light the the bases we have close by....
Ask the Eskimos!............Posted by karlimhof
Yeah, yeah, it used to acid rain, then it was deadly solar rays, ozone layer, radon gas, etc.
It's a wonder we are still alive with all the global catastrophe we have had since 1980. Global warming is just SOCIAL ENGINEERING. It is designed to redistribute wealth, insert suction tubes into industry and connect them to Washington. You can buy the hoopla if you want to and go delivery ice to your eskimos. Why is there global warming on Mars when there is only ONE SUV THERE?
much more!!!..it was an off shoot...but not the reason...escpecially in light the the bases we have close by....
Posted by golfkt at 10:44 AM : Mar 01, 2007
They pulled the plug on the funding as it became more than obvious that a degree of stability would never be achieved in Iraq to allow for thier existence.
"As the New York Times revealed in a front-page piece by Thom Shanker and Eric Schmitt on April 19, 2003, just after Baghdad fell, the Pentagon arrived in the Iraqi capital with plans already on the drawing board to build four massive military bases"
I would wholeheartedly recommend you as a member of the American Academy of Science!
You first job should be to go to Mars yourself and check out why that SUV is causing so much trouble!
By THOM SHANKER and ERIC SCHMITT
New York Times
Saturday 19 April 2003
WASHINGTON: The United States is planning a long-term military relationship with the emerging government of Iraq, one that would grant the Pentagon access to military bases and project American influence into the heart of the unsettled region, senior Bush administration officials say.
American military officials, in interviews this week, spoke of maintaining perhaps four bases in Iraq that could be used in the future: one at the international airport just outside Baghdad; another at Tallil, near Nasiriya in the south; the third at an isolated airstrip called H-1 in the western desert, along the old oil pipeline that runs to Jordan; and the last at the Bashur air field in the Kurdish north.
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Two weeks after the invasion the plans for the bases are presented but there was no planning beforehand, right golkt? PUHLEASE!
Christ, you know we have plans for everything....to indicate that we enetered Iraq to build bases is not accurate...again, an offshoot but not the primary reason for enetering Iraq....espcecially becuase we have relatively large bases close by...
but...the original post is because Bush is being successful with his approach in NK...and we will have a thawing with Iran within 180 days...
MITYWHITY
I would wholeheartedly recommend you as a member of the American Academy of Science!
You first job should be to go to Mars yourself and check out why that SUV is causing so much trouble!
Posted by golfkt at 10:55 AM : Mar 01, 2007
Believe what you will. I only present the facts.
In regards to Bush's "success" with N. Korea, I will observe that he is at least making progress after abandoning his banty-rooster sabre-rattling approach that got us nowhere.
All that did was give N. Korea time to build 12 nukes instead of 2 and drive the cost of the deal up four-fold. Some "success".
He claimed that he had to hold the N. Koreans "accountable". Looking at the increased price of the deal, I would say that the N. Koreans held Bush more accountable than he did them.
Posted by Musty2U at 11:02 AM : Mar 01, 2007
You mean because of your talons, bro? lol.
Posted by Musty2U at 11:11 AM : Mar 01, 2007
Maybe that's what that 29 year-old was after trying to pass himself of as a 12 year old a month or two ago...lol.
Promises
Promises
Promises LOL
And what happens six or eight years from now, when we're negotiating again? We've been down this road before, when Clinton was in office. Hate to rain on anyone's parade, but anyone who touts this as a success should take a look at recent history. There's no way to say NK is any more sincere now than they were then. I wouldn't characterize this as successful - unless you're willing to say it's as successful as Clinton was when he negotiated with NK....
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by j-whitman
March 1, 2007 7:28 PM EST
- Looks as though as for NK goes,, Bush chose to use Clinton's foreign policy instead of his own on this one,,,,, What's that tell you of Bush's policies ?????
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