Posted on 09/17/2007 4:05:28 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Anatoli Lee, former Presidential Adviser on Far East Affairs for Gorbachev and Yeltsin, reveals (the plan)
(2nd) inter-Korean summit scheduled between Oct. 2nd and 4th is hatched from the project to secure Nobel Peace Prize for leaders of both Koreas and Russia, according to a rather detailed testimony (we obtained.) The October issue of "Wolgan Joongang"(a major S. Korean news magazine) due to be out in Sept. 18 reports, "The summit is the result of 'N-project' in which high-level figures from three countries participated, which is designed for Russian President Putin to continue to stay in power." The initial 'N' refers to Nobel Prize.
This was revealed by Anatoli Lee, an ethnic Korean in Russia who used to be the Presidential Adviser on Far East Affairs for Gorbachev and Yeltsin. He is directly involved in N-Project. He got his PH. D degree in Russia on the subject of agricultural development in Far Eastern Siberia, and, among experts on N. Korean affairs, he is known as 'an experienced expert on Korean Peninsula."
According to him, it was Valeri Sukhinin, the Russian Ambassador to N. Korea, who brokered the (coming) inter-Korean summit and led N-project. Ambassador Sukhinin is a well-known Russian expert on Korean Peninsula. Prior to his current assignment in Pyongyang, he was a Deputy Ambassador of Russian Embassy in S. Korea, and he served as a translator when President Putin had summit with leaders of both Koreas.
Anatoli Lee speculated, "It is quite likely that the former (S. Korean) Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan met Sukhinin when he visited N. Korea last March as an unofficial emissary of S. Korean President. To my knowledge, Kim Man-bok, the head of NIS (S. Korean intelligence) also met Sukhinin in his two trips to N. Korea."
The following is Q & A with Anatoli Lee:
Q: Exactly When, where, and by whom was N-project hatched?
A: On Oct. 15, 2000, two days after it was announced that former (S. Korean) President Kim Dae-jung would receive Nobel Peace Prize, There was a top secret gathering at the guest house of Khomsk Oil Field located in Sakhalin. The Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee (of Russian Duma) and his entourage, an official from then Office of Far Eastern Plenipotentiary, and oil magnates owning Sakhalin oil fields, and unofficial figures from both Koreas. N-project arose from discussions in the meeting."
Q: What is the gist of the discussion?
A: In short, it is about the strategy for ensuring long-term rule by Putin. At the time, Putin was going for his 2nd term, which was a foregone conclusion and not a problem. However, serving three consecutive terms is prohibited by the Constitution of Russian Federation. Some carefully floated an idea that it is possible to amend the constitution if Putin could boost his poll rating up to 80% and score international achievement such as receiving Nobel Peace Prize. Since then, they went into the operation to secure Nobel Peace Prize for Putin.
Q How could Putin's Nobel Peace Prize and inter-Korean Summit be connected in any way?
A: To my knowledge, after the Sakhalin meeting, Russia solicited advice from Nobel Peace Prize Office(?.) They were told that there are two things Putin has to accomplish in order to get Nobel Peace Prize. First, stop using military force against Chechen rebels. Next, transform the armistice regime into a peace (treaty) regime in Korean Peninsula, which Russia borders on. This includes connecting Trans-Siberian Railroads(TSR) and Trans-Korean Railroads(TKR) and disable N. Korea's nuclear weapons.
Furthermore, it includes the Russian plan to revitalize N. Korean economy as a way to establish Korean unification. This is why they started to quietly lay the ground work for inter-Korean summit. To be precise, the first goal is to hold a three-way summit by two Koreas and Russia(this was after first inter-Korean summit in June, 2000.) Frankly, it would be awkward if Putin alone receives the Peace Prize. That is why they went for the joint Peace Prize for leaders of two Koreas and Russia.
Q: However, There is no 'Russian' presence in the schedule of the inter-Korean summit in early October. Furthermore, the stage is set in Pyongyang not Russian Far East. Why?
A: It only looks that way. I can assure you that Russia will be publicly involved in this summit in some form. You should see it as a stage setup. Even a good movie would be less interesting if you know the story in advance. To create a dramatic scene, you need such a setup. The reason why the summit is held in Pyongyang instead of Russian Far East is because there are complicating factors such as ensuring Kim Jong-il's personal security.
Q: You mean Putin will personally visit Pyongyang?
A: We cannot rule it out at the moment. If he cannot come, Kamil Isakhakov, the Far Eastern Plenipotentiary will come on behalf of the President (Putin.) An extraordinary event will be staged."
Q: Can you be more specific?
A: Pay attention to Hasan. Russian grains and raw materials offloaded there will be shipped to Seoul over Tumen border through Rajin, Sunbong, and Pyongyang. Maybe even to Busan. Imagine this. If this works out, you have a complete connection to Eurasian land route. What can be more dramatic? N. Korean nuke and peace treaty are beyond what both Koreas can work out. They may not want to address it directly."
[Dr. Anatoli Lee revealed a few more possible events during the inter-Korean summit]
A: Any other events?
Another gift package Russia can present is energy, that is, oil and natural gas. N. Korea is currently experiencing a severe energy shortage now, isn't it? Seungri Refinery in Rajin and Sunbong has the largest refining capacity in N. Korea(2 million tons per year,) and is connected to Russian pipeline. Outsiders may think that the pipeline was shut down after the fall of Soviet Union, but they operate it twice a year (April and September) to keep it from rusting. I am confident to say this refinery facilities could restart its operation. Of course, when it comes to the cost of restarting the refinery, Russia may attach a condition that neighboring countries need to provide support reciprocal to gradual resolution of N. Korean nuclear problem."
How about natural gas?
A: Natural gas issue will be worked out to benefit S. Korea. If Russia could extend its pipeline from Russia Far East to S. Korea, Russia can make enormous revenues. It is possible that it will be discussed in the (coming) summit. There is another interesting possibility, too. For example, N. Korea can run 'N. Korean restaurants' in Jeju free economic zone as they did in China.
They even worked out measures to bring N. Korean female employees after they opened the restaurants and give the women some training. Of course, this will be more likely to be brought up as a spontaneous proposal by Roh Moo-hyun rather than an official agenda. Considering Roh's style, you never know what he will do. The summit would not be routine but dramatic. They may even bring up stuffs I have not expected."
Kim Sang-jin
What you have is a long-standing Russia's wish list. Only thing new is Putin's Nobel Peace Prize angle. This could have been a viable plan a few years ago. I am not sure it is now. Roh Moo-hyun lost all credibility domestically. Kim Jong-il has been just caught hiding his nuke program in Syria.
They can talk big on grand projects, which will take years to accomplish(railroads in N. Korea need to be rebuilt from scratch.)
I do not see specific and binding agreement coming out from upcoming summit. In that case, Putin cannot have enough to have a shot at Nobel Peace Prize.
Besides, it is a bit too much to give Nobel Peace Prize to a well-known mass murderer like Kim Jong-il.
Anyway, this article can be served as a rare window into Putin's machination. His policy on Koreas and Far East, his desire to stay in power indefinitely all fit nicely together as a grand package. This is an revealing account of what Putin could be really up to.
A kind of puff piece, but has some interesting stuffs buried in it.
Seems all these prize things are getting anti American. Algore wins them, puttie the power hungry winning a nobel peace prize would place the prize in the gutter even more.
competition for rush...
Q A: Any other events?
A: Another gift package Russia can present is energy...
HMMM I think Chia Pet better watch it I think Vlady would poison him LOL!
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