Bush Makes Progress on North Korea; Everyone Complains

North Star Writers Group ^ | June 30, 2008 | Dan Calabrese

[Invisigoth]

Is George W. Bush a reckless cowboy? Or is he a legacy-seeking sellout willing sign off on any deal, even a bad one, that allows him to claim a diplomatic achievement?

The guess here is neither, at least in reality, but the media consensus is either or both.

When President Bush announced on Thursday that North Korea had agreed to offer a declaration concerning its nuclear activities, and further had agreed to destroy its nuclear reactor tower at Yongbyon, it was one of the most carefully worded, qualified announcements Bush has ever made. At no point did he entertain the illusion the declaration was complete or that the North has given up its nuclear program entirely, nor did he intimate in any way that they should be trusted to do so.

He simply said a step is a step, and that the U.S. would keep its fairly inconsequential promises in return. A few North Korean assets are being unfrozen, and North Korea is no longer considered a state supporter of terrorists for the purposes of enforcing the Trading With the Enemy Act. None of this changes the fact that North Korea is still the most economically and politically isolated country in the world.

If, in fact, this is a first step toward an ultimately non-nuclear North Korea, Bush’s achievement is enormously important. The odds are probably still against it, but this is the most concrete achievement the U.S. has had in the effort since North Korean nukes became an issue.

[Brian S. Fitzgerald]

What was the secret deal, I wonder.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

There wasn’t much hoopla when President Bush “persuaded” Gadaffi to give up his nukes, either.

And that freeing of 50 million Iraqis who were under Saddam’s thumb? Hardly a blip on the radar screen.

I hate the media. Traitors, all.

[Obadiah]

Interesting column. It seems to be the Administration’s response to John Bolton’s WSJ column.

[pnh102]

I think Bush's approach to North Korea should be applauded. He rewarded one action with another, unlike certain former presidents who gave away the store first, only to watch North Korea develop nuclear weapons with the merchandise. If this gets North Korea even one step closer to abandoning nuclear weapons, then it is a good thing.

[edpc]

I don’t think the administration actually believes they can trust NK to totally dismantle their projects. IMHO, it’s a public display of showing we are willing to work with nations who will disclose/dismantle nuclear programs. This way, when Iran remains belligerent and obstructive, we can say we tried all avenues before striking.

[mnehrling]

IMHO, everyone should read the executive order carefully and see how accurate they are portraying what happened on our end.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2037384/posts

[NoLibZone]

The left is very upset we have not gone to war in Korea.